Alcohol Package, Tips & Tricks

Let's see if you can somehow wrap your brain around this possible scenario. It's 500 pm, start of happy hour at the Alchemy Bar. A couple sits down for 90 minutes of drink and conversation. The gentleman consumes 3 drinks, which is 1 per half hour, while his wife consumes 2 drinks, which is 1 per 45 minutes. They go to dinner and then around 800 the evening starts consisting of show, piano bar, comedy show, casino, whatever. Over the next four hours, in between being entertained by whatever they choose, you don't think the gentleman can consume 3 more at the Alchemy, while his wife has 2 more. This is 10 drinks consumed over a 7 hour period by 2 people.

Let's see if you can somehow wrap your brain around this possible scenario: the average couple is not doing this, and definitely not everyday. Not even close, and never will be.

Stop forcing scenarios on everyone like they are common sense. Everyone enjoys their vacation differently. You're never going to convince me that possible scenarios like the "mimosa, specialty coffees, and constant alchemy" are no-brainers for people who just aren't doing it. Reread this thread, and every other one like it. Who says that they do this? The far more common scenario was either the wife or husband doesn't drink a lot or at all. You have a few that buy Cheers, and it sounds like a "perceived value." Then you have the very few who can confidently say they spent less on Cheers than if they bought the drinks themselves.

It's like when I go to a Calabash buffet in the Carolinas for $40 a head. The "smart" people naturally gravitate towards the most expensive options, exactly like these threads always turn out. "Here is how I break even or get more by eating this many crab legs. What a great deal! Therefore it is a great deal for everyone" The vast majority of people aren't going to eat that many crab legs. Often, the other people in the party won't get any at all. The restaurant knows it. You'll have a few that can really put them away. They aren't speaking for the majority.

Do not listen to the people that tell you to avoid it if your wife doesn't drink. The bottom line is to add up all your anticipated drink costs for both of you, and if it exceeds $750 it's worth it. If not, it isn't. It's really pretty simple. And it doesn't take that long to get to $750 if you're drinking $10.95 Alchemy drinks and $12.50 bloody marys

Do not listen to the people that tell you to avoid it if your wife doesn't drink. The bottom line is to add up all your anticipated drink costs for both of you, and if it exceeds $750 it's worth it. If not, it isn't. It's really pretty simple. And it doesn't take that long to get to $750 if you're drinking $10.95 Alchemy drinks and $12.50 bloody marys

I mean there needs to be a clear understanding of the Cheers program and what you want your budget to be for alcoholic beverages (and speciality beverages) on your cruise.

$840 for 2 on a 7 night cruise extra. Take a look at previous bar bills on cruises and have some idea of what you think you will drink every day. Factor in sea days, night time habits and what you like to drink. You may come to realize that you will only spend $500 on drinks and you can pocket the $340.

But make no mistake about it . . . If you are people who socially drink, and you have the CHEERs package . . . You WILL more than drink the amount of your package . . . .easily.

On Pay as You go, I am watchful, will pass up on sodas, speciality coffee and water, drink more beer than Alchemy drinks . . . .and keep my tab at the sub $250 for 2 that I am aiming for.

But I had an all inclusive drink package before (Celebrity Premium) on a 10 night cruise, and let me tell you, with ease, I was able to kick back 10+ Alcoholic drinks on a sea day, ensuring I was getting Don Julio or Grey Goose each time, sparkling water at dinner, an Evian or Perrier before bed every night, a speciality coffee at breakfast every morning, fresh squeezed juices, bottled water on port days, etc. Hell maybe I wanted two mimosas that morning . . . I would NEVER do that on pay as you but “why not” on the drink package.

Essentially The all inclusive beverage program became a carefree way to have exactly what I wanted and try things, expensive things, without keeping an eye on the bill . . . .and it was fabulous.

And I was never drunk or close to being drunk, and never felt pressured to “drink my money’s worth”. They really add up quickly on a sea day.

So that is why Cheers is not necessarily a math equation that some put it as. It really can be an experience and worth its weight in gold if you know you are gonna want to drink and really don’t want to look at the prices . . . .but if you don’t want to budget that kind of coin, you can limit your alcoholic consumption, make smarter decisions with your drink choices and really spend less than the Cheers cost and still have a great time.

To each his own.

JoeBucks says that you are wrong and your logical math doesn't add up to the average cruiser that likes to drink while they are on vacation. He doesn't think that an average drinking couple can put away 10 Alchemy drinks between the two of them per day. If you include the non drinkers, he's right, but this thread is to convince drinkers that are on the fence whether or not Cheers is worth it or not and I say it is.

You can continue to create your own reality with "logical math" all you want. If someone comes in here to say they drink a lot, logical math will make me agree. If they are unsure if they will get enough, I am unsure with them. People know what they and their SO will drink. Alcohol rarely sneaks up on you in huge amounts. How you can think people would surely get a good value out of from having a solo drinker, and they make no mention of heavy drinking is an EXTREMELY bold claim. Apparently, the only absurd claim is that most cruisers won't get that value.

The good thing about this forum is that everyone can share their opinions, and the readers can decide what makes sense for them. My opinion comes from personal experience. I have been on about 40 week-long vacations in my life. I have gone with friends, family, girlfriends, etc. Never once have I went with someone who wanted to drink that much, let alone a bunch of high-end cocktails. The food, the sun, the activities, it becomes a lot. The people who have came the closest, still didn't drink a lot of expensive stuff. Most guys I know would be completely fine with a bottle of Jack/Crown and a bucket of beers a night or two.

To be fair, I do not hate Cheers completely. I have said in multiple instances previously that I believe in it in these scenarios:

1.) When you would spend that much anyways - Logical math. Right? It does happen. These people know who they are already.

2.) Shorter cruises - A 3-4 day cruise is far easier to stomach both literally and financially. A party weekend is different than a week, hence the term "booze cruise".

3.) More sea days - Port days are a huge drainer for me. My last cruise was 7 days, all port. No amount of explanation of cocktail/mimosa schedule will justify that it would have been a good idea on this cruise. Laying by the pool/beach with a drink is my favorite, and it's enjoyable for a lot of other people. Do you forego the drinks at the port or are you drinking more on top of the port to justify your spend? Now when you don't leave the boat, the package shines a lot more.

4.) When you want to experience high-end drinks - This can be a great time to try drinks you would never otherwise buy. The steakhouse is a great place for this.

JoeBucks says that you are wrong and your logical math doesn't add up to the average cruiser that likes to drink while they are on vacation. He doesn't think that an average drinking couple can put away 10 Alchemy drinks between the two of them per day. If you include the non drinkers, he's right, but this thread is to convince drinkers that are on the fence whether or not Cheers is worth it or not and I say it is.

It doesn't matter one bit what "the average drinking couple" can put away. If your individual situation is such that you would spend more than the cost of the package by paying as you go, then it's worth it. If not, then it's not.

On the seven day I just got off of, between the two of us we were 109 bar drinks in seven days and nights. Most of these were in the 11-12 dollar range. There were about a dozen coffee drinks thrown in there, and exactly 14 sodas. At $750 for the package, it was definitely worth it - FOR US.

But it's all about the math, and not everyone's numbers are the same. There are definitely scenarios where buying the package makes sense even if one spouse drinks little to no alcohol.

Like all questions regarding "Should I do this?" the value of Cheers is highly subjective and depends on the habits, value, and motivations of the passenger purchasing it. Here are a few ideas to ponder. These are responses to common points that folks bring up during these threads. My last point will be my own justification for own purchase of Cheers, your mileage my vary...

Can I Beat the System? There is NO such thing as "beating the system" with Cheers. If you drink the high end drinks to the maximum of 15, Carnival is still going to make money. They price it out that way, and I am sure they have a lot of highly paid business analysts running the numbers in determining the prices to maximize sales and mark-ups. They wouldn't offer Cheers if it were not profitable, and their mark-ups on a-la-carte drinks, and even Cheers make sure that the beverage program turns a nice profit for them. This is NOT to say that it is not a good value for you, it very well may be, but be mindful of it in your decision making. It is about you, not the system.

What if I Drink High End? Even the $40 cognac at the Steakhouse, stateside costs around $200 per bottle. Being generous, lets say there are 20 servings per bottle, that works out to $5 in cost for the liquor. That is an 800% mark-up! This is no different than bars, etc back at home. Say you drink 15 of these in a day, that costs Carnival $75, which does mean that drinker is costing Carnival $25 for that one drinker, but they still make many times that back from everyone else. Combine that with requiring all passengers in a cabin to purchase the plan, they still win, but as I said earlier, it can still be worth it. This example is likely true to a lesser extent with other drinks (Alchemy, good wines, etc).

Spouse/Cabin-mate is a Non-Drinker: If you drink enough to not mind paying the double rate, then it is still worth it to you. If your spouse is a "glass of wine with dinner" drinker, then that spreads the value out. If they will enjoy specialty coffee, Powerade, Soda (pop where I am from), milkshakes, etc, then there is still benefit to them having Cheers. Maybe not enough to justify the entire price on their end, but think of it like a split cost. Would those other benefits be worth say $20 a day to them, and then $80 a day for you? This is a worthy point to consider that only you can really answer.

Should I Compare Previous Bills? Maybe, but you WILL drink more on Cheers than you will without Cheers. If your previous bills illustrate that Cheers is a better deal for you, then that is probably the case. If they do not, that might not be the case. Just remember that if you like drinking, you WILL drink more if you have Cheers, so that comparison is not so straight forward, except to show a savings.

Extremely Heavy Drinkers: To elaborate on the previous point, on my second cruise, I spoke to a lady whose husband had blown $800 on the first night of a previous cruise! For some reason had no memory of anything after the Muster Drill, nor buying all the drinks on their bill from that night. He did have a nasty headache ;). Her guess was hubby went kind of crazy, got blackout drunk, and maybe even started buying rounds for people. In her family's case, Cheers controls the costs and sets limits, which made it worthwhile. Maybe hubby had a problem, but in any case, she had peace of mind that that cost was already set. This is probably a rare case, but it is good to know.

Worrying About Cost: (My primary motivation to buy Cheers). I love to drink. I like fancy mixed drinks and fine wines. I also love to not waste money. When I cruised without Cheers, I may have had a drink or two a day. Not because I don't drink much, but because I get cost conscious. When pre-purchasing Cheers, I don't even think about the cost anymore, as the money is spent. I will drink as much as I want, and sometimes a bit more. If I want to try something new but pricey (like something at the Alchemy Bar), my brain just processes it differently. Instead of "$13 for something I might hate," I think "That sounds interesting, I might like it. If not, I will just order something else in five minutes." I am a worrier when it comes to each individual purchase. When I buy Cheers, that decision is already made, so I can just order what I want, and not worry about it. The same goes for having a fine wine at dinner, ordering something at the comedy club, etc. So for me, and my habits, as long as the wife and I have the budget to pay for it, Cheers is a no-brainer for us. BUT once again, that is for us.

At the end of the day, I find Cheers greatly enhances my ability to relax and just enjoy my vacation. I know Carnival makes a good amount of money off of my Cheers, but that is ok. I fret less about each purchase, and just sit back and enjoy it! As far as you are concerned, it IS helpful to read what others have to say, but the MOST important factor is will YOU find it worth it to purchase the package? :)

Not really Cheers related, but thought I'd answer some of your questions.

snip

 

I'm sure Carnival is the same as NCL & Princess, if you buy booze in ports, do they hold til debarkation?

Carnival will hold any alcohol purchased in port (and onboard Fun Shop). It varies if they deliver the night before debarkation or debarkation morning.

One perk I do like is that Carnival allows each passenger over 21 to bring aboard 1 bottle of wine and 12 cans soda & kids can bring 12 sodas/juices etc. The 2 wine drinkers in our group of 5 are happy as the other 3 are "packing" for them so they are set up

Princess also allows carry-on of 1 bottle at no charge, and additional bottles with a corkage fee. You can carry-on or check soft drinks with them too.

Thanks to all for such helpful hints and suggestions, very much appreciated..

snip

It's like when I go to a Calabash buffet in the Carolinas for $40 a head. The "smart" people naturally gravitate towards the most expensive options, exactly like these threads always turn out. "Here is how I break even or get more by eating this many crab legs. What a great deal! Therefore it is a great deal for everyone" The vast majority of people aren't going to eat that many crab legs. Often, the other people in the party won't get any at all. The restaurant knows it. You'll have a few that can really put them away. They aren't speaking for the majority.

I'm not familiar with Calabash buffets, but if it is like a Brazilian barbecue then I would consider the $40 the price of an experience (much like Cheers) rather than a value for the food.

You would have to stay hammered the entire cruise to have a chance of coming out ahead on the $840 it will cost. Don't get the package.

What's wrong with being hammered the entire cruise??:o:o....LoL

Ok in all seriousness, my DW and I drink and have gotten the beverage package and have not gotten the beverage package (not just Carnival). One cruise we decided not to get the drink package, and we failed miserably:(. Well maybe not miserably, but we spent about $100 more than the package. One cruise were we got the package we could of saved about $20 if we had not gotten the package. So we are right on the bubble but again this is like many other things it is subjective.

"Best bet about whether or not it is worth it for the OP is to do what a few folks have recommended, check out the current drink prices, average out how much you think each of you would drink of the various beverages each day and see where you land. "

I like this idea, but I do not know where to find drink prices. I sailed last summer and I cannot remember how much they cost. My wife and I always get the Cheers package because I like the cost certainty and I drink quite a bit. ;pSailing on the Horizon out of NYC this summer and I do not think Cheers starts until day 2 of the cruise if you sail out of that port. I am wondering whether or not to buy Cheers or Cruise Cash. Any suggestions or can you show me drink prices? Thanks.

Do not listen to the people that tell you to avoid it if your wife doesn't drink. The bottom line is to add up all your anticipated drink costs for both of you, and if it exceeds $750 it's worth it. If not, it isn't. It's really pretty simple. And it doesn't take that long to get to $750 if you're drinking $10.95 Alchemy drinks and $12.50 bloody marys

How dare you bring logic and common sense to this thread

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am wondering whether or not to buy Cheers or Cruise Cash. Any suggestions or can you show me drink prices? Thanks.

IIRC, all the drinks at Alchemy were $10.95 in November 2017. Well drinks run $6.95 to $9.95. Top-shelf (which is what you want if you have Cheers) will run $9.95 to $16.95. There are a few things scattered here and there that run $19.95, but you have to search for them. Beers start at $5.95. Sodas, I think are $2.95. Those prices are before gratuity.

So is the limit still $10 per drink using Cheers ? Can I get a martini at Alchemy using Cheers ?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

So is the limit still $10 per drink using Cheers ? Can I get a martini at Alchemy using Cheers ?

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Limit is $50, quoted from Carnival:

Please note: The following beverages are included in the price of your cruise and are served in the Main Dining Room and available 24/7 in the Lido Restaurant: non-bottled water, lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, hot chocolate and non-specialty coffee and tea.

The following beverages are available within the CHEERS! program:

• All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer and wine (and Champagne) by the glass, with a $50 USD or lower menu price per serving
  
• Zero-Proof frozen cocktails (including smoothies), sodas (including specialty sodas) and juices
  
• Specialty coffees and hot tea served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and coffee bars
  
• Milkshakes, where applicable
  
• RockStar energy drinks, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Coconut Water and Honest Tea
  
• 500ml bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages served in bars and lounges
  
• Large format (1 liter and 1.5-liter) bottles of water in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants
  
• 25 percent discount off the menu price for any spirit, cocktail or wine by the glass, costing above $50 USD per serving
  
• 25 percent discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle and larger format water bottles purchased outside the main dining rooms or specialty restaurants
  
• 25 percent discount off beverage seminars and classes
  

Please note

• Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise (starting at 6:00am) for voyages departing from our Texas and New York home ports.
  
• Program only applicable for onboard purchases.
  
• CHEERS! is not offered on 2 day cruises, charter cruises, on ships sailing from Australia (Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit and Carnival Splendor) and beverage purchases made at Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays in The Bahamas.
  

Beverages excluded from the program are:

• Beverages promoted and sold in souvenir glasses
  
• Bottles of liquor
  
• Beverages offered at the gangway
  
• Beverages offered through room service, mini bars and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs
  
• Sharing cocktails, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets
  
• Beverages offered through enomatic wine machines and self-serve beer stations
  
• Freshly squeezed orange juice served in the Havana Bar
  
• All other beverage-related programs including merchandise, cigars and cigarettes
  
• Food items
  

Thanks. Did it used to be $10 per drink ?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks. Did it used to be $10 per drink ?

I believe other cruise lines the limit is $10. Also try this Beverage Package Evaluator. Just fill out the yellow spots and it should auto calculate. You can change the prices such as; price p/drink, price p/package ect....... When you are done it will say YES-green or No-red simple to use. FYI this was made for Princess cruises but again you can change prices/drink names ects.

Carnival Beverage Package Evaluator rev0 posted 5-7-2014.xls

Thanks. Did it used to be $10 per drink ?

Yes, I believe when it was first rolled out, there was a $10/drink limit. NCL has a $15/drink limit, but they don't limit the number of drinks you can get in a 24 hour period. Of course, NCL's "nicer" liquor is $16.95 to $19.95.

What's wrong with being hammered the entire cruise??:o:o....LoL

Besides, that's total bull****. $840 is 33 alchemy drinks per person over the course of an entire week. Who in the hell gets hammered for an entire week on 33 drinks? And if you buy Cheers ahead of time with a gift card discount, 38 becomes 28-33.

Two premium bloody Marys and two alchemy drinks a day makes cheers worth it.

Thanks. Did it used to be $10 per drink ?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sent from my STV100-2 using Forums mobile app

Two premium bloody Marys and two alchemy drinks a day makes cheers worth it.

You've almost broken even for one person, on one day.

Close it used to be $15 max price when they rolled out the program fleetwide. It may of been $10 during one of the testing phases.

 

 

Sent from my STV100-2 using Forums mobile app

It was 10.00 max when we had it on the Breeze in January of 2013 and it was still maxed at 10.00 two years later on the Freedom. At that time it was only good on alcohol, soda and juice. When the price increased to 50.00 per drink maximum, all of the other non alcoholic items were added.

Worrying About Cost: (My primary motivation to buy Cheers). I love to drink. I like fancy mixed drinks and fine wines. I also love to not waste money. When I cruised without Cheers, I may have had a drink or two a day. Not because I don't drink much, but because I get cost conscious. When pre-purchasing Cheers, I don't even think about the cost anymore, as the money is spent. I will drink as much as I want, and sometimes a bit more. If I want to try something new but pricey (like something at the Alchemy Bar), my brain just processes it differently. Instead of "$13 for something I might hate," I think "That sounds interesting, I might like it. If not, I will just order something else in five minutes." I am a worrier when it comes to each individual purchase. When I buy Cheers, that decision is already made, so I can just order what I want, and not worry about it. The same goes for having a fine wine at dinner, ordering something at the comedy club, etc. So for me, and my habits, as long as the wife and I have the budget to pay for it, Cheers is a no-brainer for us. BUT once again, that is for us.

This right here just convinced me that Cheers is the best option for us. I relate a lot to what you posted. Thanks!

worrying about cost: (my primary motivation to buy cheers). i love to drink. I like fancy mixed drinks and fine wines. I also love to not waste money. When i cruised without cheers, i may have had a drink or two a day. Not because i don't drink much, but because i get cost conscious. When pre-purchasing cheers, i don't even think about the cost anymore, as the money is spent. I will drink as much as i want, and sometimes a bit more. If i want to try something new but pricey (like something at the alchemy bar), my brain just processes it differently. Instead of "$13 for something i might hate," i think "that sounds interesting, i might like it. If not, i will just order something else in five minutes." i am a worrier when it comes to each individual purchase. When i buy cheers, that decision is already made, so i can just order what i want, and not worry about it. The same goes for having a fine wine at dinner, ordering something at the comedy club, etc. So for me, and my habits, as long as the wife and i have the budget to pay for it, cheers is a no-brainer for us. But once again, that is for us.

this!

This right here just convinced me that Cheers is the best option for us. I relate a lot to what you posted. Thanks!

Though I am long winded, I am glad you found my post helpful. Maybe Carnival will give me a small commission as an OBC (kidding of course) ;)