My Awesome Bar Program flyer

[cathyz]

Another great advantage is not having to sign the tabs for every drink. If it"s the same as X. Doesn't sound like a big deal but after experiencing it, liked the idea. Felt more like an all inclusive.

When DH reached the points in the casino needed for the free drinks there, he still had to sign a tab for each drink, but it showed no cost. I think it's an inventory control thing.

[lopat08865]

For our group of 4 we've bought 6 bottles from BV for our 8 day cruise ($320). We're going to buy three 5-wine packages ($393).

 

$713 for 4 people. Compared to $1600 for 4 drink packages.

 

Me thinks Carnival wants the latter, & so BV and wine packages may get phased out or priced higher.

[alreadypacked]

When you make the initial package purchase I assume they would check how many are in the cabin and charge accordingly. Three persons equals 3 packages or none at all. Easy.

 

Not so easy if everybody in the cabin is on a separate sail and sign account. I sail with 2 other people in my cabin. We each have our own sail and sign account charged to our own credit card.

[Aussiegrlfl]

Good grief... If you drink 6 DODs over the course of a day you would spend at least $90 a day. Since alcohol is processed at approximately 1 oz per hour by the human liver, if one drinks one DOD every two hours then, yes, they would remember their cruise because they would not be falling down drink like half the CC posters seem to think happens when someone says they can drink 6 drinks in a 24 hour period. :rolleyes:

 

This would deter me from smuggling and probably even buying through BV because of the inconvenience of smuggling and having to keep going to the cabin to mix drinks.

 

When I cruise, I am on vacation, I want to drink and have fun since I do not when not on vacation. I like to drink on a cruise because I don't have to drive to my cabin from the casino. And please don't start in about not having to drink to have fun, I have plenty of fun on land without drinking...

 

Some folks think it's too much $$$$, well fine, then so be it. But please don't give us drunkards your financial advice! :p

 

I agree...if they don't think the program is for them, then so be it...don't judge us for seeing the benefit in it while vacationing..I know I don't antique, or shop for clothes or "coach" purses as they do on the mainland.......give me a break...we each have our own vice...mine..on cruises I will relax and have a few brews..and some wine with dinner...this package price works for us....I know for sure the good book says...judge not lest you be judged....there is no one I know that is "perfect"...

[ineedavacation!]

We would definitely be game to try the package out if it was offered on the Liberty in October. In theory it sounds like it could save us some money so it would be nice to try it and see if it's worth the $ and the "effort" ;) . If it doesn't save us in the long run, well then we know for the next cruise! :D Just wondering if the Bar Package would extend onto the port of Half Moon Cay considering we have heard you can use your S&S card at some of the bars there? Any ideas or thoughts? Also a sort of unrelated question... Does anyone know if the bars offer club soda? DH likes his Gin and Sodas but I couldn't find it listed on any bar menu. Thanks!

[iheartpoco]

So, no taxes if you buy it on the next day after you board, right? People are reporting that it is available for purchase on the first 2 days of your cruise.

 

Say taxes are 5%, and the program costs $700 for a 7-day cruise, that's $35 more if you buy it in US waters.

 

Minus off $100 that you would also pay for that first day, and you will save $135 by buying it the morning of your second day.

 

Does that sound right? Even the heaviest of drinkers would probably be further ahead to pay per drink on the first day, then sign up on the second day for $600...free from taxes...

 

OR does Carnival still make you pay for the full, 7-day package, even if you buy it on the second day?

 

I guess time (or recent cruisers) will tell...

[cathyz]

So, no taxes if you buy it on the next day after you board, right? People are reporting that it is available for purchase on the first 2 days of your cruise.

 

Say taxes are 5%, and the program costs $700 for a 7-day cruise, that's $35 more if you buy it in US waters.

 

Minus off $100 that you would also pay for that first day, and you will save $135 by buying it the morning of your second day.

 

Does that sound right? Even the heaviest of drinkers would probably be further ahead to pay per drink on the first day, then sign up on the second day for $600...free from taxes...

 

OR does Carnival still make you pay for the full, 7-day package, even if you buy it on the second day?

 

I guess time (or recent cruisers) will tell...

Check this thread, the OP says tax was not charged on their purchase ($691 including tip, but no tax even tho they were still in port). They did say that tax showed up on each drink tab they signed while still in port, but they were not charged for it. http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1699607

[kona_wahine]

So, it sounds like you are also paying for the last day of the cruise also?

[IAMCRZIN]

So, it sounds like you are also paying for the last day of the cruise also?

 

You don't pay for the day you get off the ship....just the 6 or 7 days. The day you get off is actually the 8th day. Hope this made sense!! lol

[Cruise-Crazy]

Guess my cruise later today won't be included.... Maybe the December cruise. :(

[CWcruisers]

I've bought wine packages on embarkation day while still in port and no sales tax is charged. Somehow, they are able to get around it on the packages.

[Magic City Cruiser]

As long as the "drunkards" dont interfere with the rest of us who will have much less over the course of a day fine.

 

My concern is if this become widespread will have a shipfull of drunken fools walking the ship.

 

I agree. I admit to smuggling a bottle of vodka now and again for drinks at the pool but I buy my share of wine with dinner, club drinks and DOD's. And, yes, I cruise to "have a good time". However, on a five day cruise, the most my S&S has been (excluding daily grats) is $130. I don't think 5 drinks a day is too much on a cruise,and that's prolly what I do...on some days, with the smuggled stuff included. However, I do remember the girl on one cruise that we saw at all hours of the night, knee walking drunk and saw for the last time at debarkation, with her head in her hands saying "I can believe my S&S was over $700. If she knew she could drink all she could drink for 42 bucks a day she would have died of alcohol poisoning, I'm sure!

[OKCruiseMan]

I would like to thank Carnival for making this an option. Not sure what the big deal is, this is an option not a requirement. If it works for you, do it, if not don't. I probably would. I've done it before on Celebrity and liked the idea of one less thing to worry about. We tried many new drinks as it was less risk, and enjoyed most! Not sure if we saved money of not, but that was not the point.

 

Thanks Carnival, for the choice!

[NoLandInSight!]

Hi Everybody, as per John heald on Facebook just a few minutes ago, I asked if there is a 15 drink minimum for the bar package and he said this:

 

"The 15 drink note is a flag for the bartender, he will use this to check to make sure that the person is okay to continue being served alcohol. However we will not stop at 15 drinks if all is ok. Please post this on cruise critic so they have the proper information. Cheers mate."

 

When you think of how much $$$ you are spending on the cruise a day, break it down. Even 8 drinks at $8 a day works out to $64. So you are saving money by purchasing this package. If you have 1 drink at lunch, maybe 1 before, a few after lunch, 1 or 2 at dinner, after dinner, dancing at the club or just relaxing on top deck 1. That is roughly 8-13 drinks a day broken up throughout the day. You don't have to worry about how much $$$ you are spending daily or go to guest services everyday and get your bar bill, you've paid so use it. My husband and I think it is worth it and we are doing it.

 

Hope this helps everybody.

THank you so much. I've been looking for an answer to this and haven't seen anywhere official that there was a 15 limit.

[kafraser78]

THank you so much. I've been looking for an answer to this and haven't seen anywhere official that there was a 15 limit.

 

No problem, I like to know everything before I do it and there is alot of wrong information on this website, I like to know the right information all the time, I dont like surprises. Glad I could help.

[CountryFox]

Well it has taken me two bottles of wine to read all the hoop la on the "Bar package" and really some people should just not comment!

To each there own and thou shall not judge...... hahahaaha

opps spilt my wine....

ENJOY you dont get to vacation a lot and others should not interfer!!!

[misterchatter]

Carnival trying to re establish there old image?

[coevan]

Well it has taken me two bottles of wine to read all the hoop la on the "Bar package" and really some people should just not comment!

To each there own and thou shall not judge...... hahahaaha

opps spilt my wine....

ENJOY you dont get to vacation a lot and others should not interfer!!!

 

 

 

2 bottles by 10:25am, you definitely qualify for the liquor package (LOL)

[richstowe]

2 bottles by 10:25am, you definitely qualify for the liquor package (LOL)

For sure but the 15 drink max limit may be a problem.:D

[AdrenalineRush]

I agree, how could they charge the other person with her own account without her permission and yet she would essentially have control of whether you could buy the drink package??? If charges were made to the room like in hotel charges and the person who gets room is responsible, but this isn't the case on a cruise ship when everyone has their own account.

 

I would guess that everyone over 21 in the cabin has to be present when the package is purchased. So it wouldnt be a issue of 2 people signing up and automatically signing the other, they would all be there...atleast that is the way that seems logical to me.

[CWcruisers]

Well it has taken me two bottles of wine to read all the hoop la on the "Bar package" and really some people should just not comment!

 

You've got that right, like the guy who posted right below yours!:p

[SusieQ4U]

I would love for someone who has been on board and purchased this to comment in regards to service level (my apologies if that is in here and I missed it in my reading). I have, in the past, experienced slightly lower quality service when trying to pay for drinks with drink coupons from bon voyage department or when using wine package tickets outside of the dining room. It's as if the servers feel they won't get tipped as well, perhaps?

 

So, I am curious as to whether or not anyone using this plan felt like they got any less attention from bar staff because of it.

[Jackie81]

I would love for someone who has been on board and purchased this to comment in regards to service level (my apologies if that is in here and I missed it in my reading). I have, in the past, experienced slightly lower quality service when trying to pay for drinks with drink coupons from bon voyage department or when using wine package tickets outside of the dining room. It's as if the servers feel they won't get tipped as well, perhaps?

 

So, I am curious as to whether or not anyone using this plan felt like they got any less attention from bar staff because of it.

 

 

Some have posted on other threads that they thought the service was actually a little bit better. Guess its because with the package the tip is already included so they know that they're getting something at least and perhaps a little something on top of that.. (my guess anyway)

[Pee-ah]

Had the package on the Spirit and found the service to be top notch! No difference between paying per drink... Service may have even better :)

[Winterstale]

Any news about more ships being added?? Would really love for this to hit the Magic before we sail in three weeks!