Cheers Comparison Chart

[BamaCruiser20]

We did the Cheers program on the Legend at the beginning of December. There is NOT a 15 drink limit. We were told when we purchased the plan, that if a server thinks you are becoming a danger to yourself or anyone else, they will report to the bar manager and he/she will decide if you need to be cut off. And believe me, there were a few days we each went well over 15 drinks and there were no issues at all.

 

The drinks are EXACTLY as they have always been as far as amount of alcohol. I had a couple Long Island Teas and they were just as strong as they normally are. The only time the drinks came in a different glass was during the day at the pool. When we ordered a mixed drink (either bloody mary's or pineapple juice & maibu) it came in an 8 oz glass, however, I had a DOD glass from my first drink purchased, when I poured the drink I got on the Cheers program in that DOD glass, it nearly filled it up. The DOD glass *looks* a lot bigger b/c it is taller, but it's not really that much larger. Whenever we ordered the frozen DOD, it came in the plain hurricane glass like it does if you order one at a bar in the evening...just not in the "Best Day Ever" special DOD glass. When we ordered Red Frog beer, it came in the exact same glass except it didn't have the Red Frog Beer logo printed on it. When we ordered martini's, they were in a normal martini glass. There were absolutey zero difference in the drinks....only difference is that they were not in the souviner printed glasses.

 

One funny aspect was that they come around at dinner with a different cordial everynight. On the Cheers program, we couldn't have those b/c it was in a special souvenir shot glass. However, our bar server knew what was in the cordial, so we asked her to make us a large version in a martini glass. We would have a full size martini glass with the exact same thing some of our tablemates just paid $8.95 for a shot.

 

We were on the Legend with four ports (only got off the ship at three) and we had no problem "meeting our deductible" each night. A drink before dinner, a couple glasses of wine and our "cordial" at dinner, a couple drinks in the casino or piano bar, then a couple more at the comedy club. No problem.

 

Cheers program is not right for everyone b/c no two people drink exactly alike. If it looks like a good plan for you, buy it. If it doesn't, don't. The only issue I have with the program is that everyone in the cabin has to have it. I know this is to prevent sharing, but, honestly, the bar waiters learn you very fast. They would know if you were sharing..so, I think that "rule" is over kill.

[Cruizinman]

If this truly happened, and you have documentation to back it up (PARTICULARLY that sodas counted towards your 15 limit) then you should write letters to everyone up the chain of command with Carnival, and you should dispute the sail and sign charges on your credit card. I would be FURIOUS if I spent that amount of money and was treated in the manner which you say you were treated. I understand this was the first week of the program on your ship, but this goes beyond a "hiccup" and treads into WAY unacceptable treatment.

 

 

Letters to the chain of command :D , I'm afraid that wont do.

You could grow a beard waiting for the HATS down in

Miami to respond.

[greygoose66]

The only charges for adult beverages were the cheers program and three bottles of wine (caymus 2010) $80ea. less the 25% disc. for cheers so the wine came in at less than cost state side $60/btl.... GREAT Deal on wine, no complaint here. Yes it did happen this way, funny thing was we could order a bottle of grey goose from room service for 70.00 and have it delivered to the room but we couldn't buy a mixer for it or even baileys and coffee for a nightcap at any bar.... go figure. Not a gripe we survived and had a great time, didn't fall down or get fancy bracelets from security, I'm sure things will run better as time goes on. I fully understand the position of the Carnival staff and the 15 limit, just wish in our case, for my own selfish reasons that the policy was a bit more relaxed and took into account the amount of time and what was consumed. Wasn't sure what to expect from Carnival, but was pleasantly surprised. The one must do for couples is the Chef's Table... best money spent on the trip, absolutely fantastic. Sorry for being off topic

[greygoose66]

Well Bamacruiser sounds like you guys faired better than we did... although we faired fine. On our cruise on the Miracle you were flagged at 15 and your card terminated untill the following morning at 10am. No evaluation, no anything. Apologies from the bar staff, looks of surprise from the group we were with, a letter from the bar manager confirming our lack of intoxication. These were the RULES period. A little embarrassing and inconvenient but no harm no foul. Shawn explained that they were trying to maintain our safety and although we appeared fine the policy in place was a 15 limit period. I guess my small glass comment was for the bloody mary in the morning. I figured the drink special at the atrium bar in the tall glass (8.95) was what we were ordering, until the kid sized juice glass appeared lacking celery, olives etc as there was barely room for the 1oz pour and enough tomato juice to make it the right color..... plenty of ice though, lol

[AndrewD65]

Can you use this kind of math logic if your cruise will stop at 4 ports? The question is whether you can maintain this drinking pace if you're not on the ship for 8 hours on a port day.

 

Yes you can still use this math, as You have a drink when you get up in the morning with breakfast. A drink when you get back on the ship after the port of call. If the ship is docked for 8 hours only you are not going to spend all 8 hours off the ship, and expect to be back on in time for sail away. Dinner you may have a few drinks, as well as the Piano Bar, Comedy Club, Show, Casino, Sports bar, Outdoor movie on the big screen you name it.

[eye4cruising]

I can't believe that there are that many different stories out there on the Cheers program, as it is carnival, there should be set standards for all the ships to follow.

 

What kind of card did they give you greygoose66?

 

If anyone is going on the magic in the next week or two and has opted to do the Cheers program....please post your findings. Thanks

[mwoo]

Same goes for the Dream if people are getting shut off at 15 would like to know.

[bzpilot]

...On our cruise on the Miracle you were flagged at 15 and your card terminated untill the following morning at 10am...

 

If I was to guess this would have been during the trial period (prior to the end of November 2012). There was actually a 15 drink limit for awhile during the trial period on some ships, it no longer exists.

 

I can't believe that there are that many different stories out there on the Cheers program... What kind of card did they give you greygoose66?

 

I think you will find he was referring to the Sail & Sign card, not a separate card.

 

The stories out there aren't all that different it's just people are misinterpreting them and jumping to conclusions when all the information isn't provided or taken out of context. The Cheers program as it exists now has been in place for barely a month. Many of the stories people are still relating are from the trial period - some of that information still pertains but some of it is wrong. Some program users from the trial period also don't know that program policies have changed in the short time since they cruised and are still relaying old/bad info.

[SNJCruisers]

Good luck with that beverage program.

 

Well Dick, in case you did not know. The Jewel of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and the Norwegian Dream all have two things in common. One, you'll be sailing on them over the next year and a half, and two, they all have their own version of the Cheers open bar program. So, be prepared to wish many, many people good luck with the optional program.

[SNJCruisers]

Let's see ,say one solo in one room, four other friends in the next.

 

The solo buys the cheers package and one or two share the room later or not, doesn't matter.

 

So now they examine the solo after fifteen drinks, and he surely is not intoxicated as he has only had a few drinks ,the others went to his friends.

 

Thats about the way its going to flow around spring break :p.

I'm sure a major red flag would go up at about drink 20, and since Carnival got 200% from the solo cruiser for the cruise payment, Carnival is not losing any money on your scenario.

 

Carnival does have bacon police, don't you think they would have someone keep an eye on you to see if you were passing around drinks after you hit 20 in 1 day?

[SNJCruisers]

We've been on two cruises since Concordia happened, and we didn't have that experience - hardly saw ANY bartender using a shot glass - everything was freepoured, and most drinks were strong. We normally buy the Classic cocktails which cost about $10 and come with a $5 casino match play credit - and the Long Islands are usuall about 75% alcohol. It seems maybe we're better off sticking with that - because if the Cheers Program means they will be underpouring on drinks, it will NOT be worth it for us.

I really think you're over reacting. The experience that you're upset about happened on an early sailing of when the program became available on the Miracle. Have you read any similar experiences similar to this reported on any of the other numerous threads on CC about the program? If you're still questioning it, then wait till day two of your cruise to purchase it after you have witnessed how the bartenders are pouring drinks on the first day. If it's the way you're accustomed to, then partake from day two forward.....if they are being chintzy with the pours, then forgo the program.

[SNJCruisers]

If this truly happened, and you have documentation to back it up (PARTICULARLY that sodas counted towards your 15 limit) then you should write letters to everyone up the chain of command with Carnival, and you should dispute the sail and sign charges on your credit card. I would be FURIOUS if I spent that amount of money and was treated in the manner which you say you were treated. I understand this was the first week of the program on your ship, but this goes beyond a "hiccup" and treads into WAY unacceptable treatment.

Like

[AndrewD65]

I really think you're over reacting. The experience that you're upset about happened on an early sailing of when the program became available on the Miracle. Have you read any similar experiences similar to this reported on any of the other numerous threads on CC about the program? If you're still questioning it, then wait till day two of your cruise to purchase it after you have witnessed how the bartenders are pouring drinks on the first day. If it's the way you're accustomed to, then partake from day two forward.....if they are being chintzy with the pours, then forgo the program.

 

I agree, as this progrtam may be in a trial I have never heard of anyone else talking about this kinda of problem. and I am sure you are not the first person to hit the 15 drink limit.

[spikester]

GreyGoose, you said you got one of the casino drink cards as well, maybe they were looking at that card? It is just such a different experience than anyone else has had.

 

I think you should post your experience to John Heald and on the Carnival site so they can explain what happened. They shouldn't have counted sodas in with the limit.

When I was on the Victory, they didn't even ring them in. (they treated them as if I had the bottomless bubbles)

 

I will be on the Glory in Feb, so hopefully my experience will be like my Victory experience, and the experience of Bamacruiser on the Legend.

[greygoose66]

There was no separate card just a little "cheers" sticker put on your card. On a sea day my wife and I are early risers. Breakfast, coffee and a stroll. 10am or so a bloody mary 2 points maybe a second, two more. Coffee with kahlua and baileys one or two and we're at 8 drinks for the day by 1pm. Casino... no much else to do, a couple drinks and maybe another coffee and it's off to dinner, 12 drinks for those counting. A glass of wine at dinner maybe a limoncello after dinner cordial and back to the casino. One more cocktail at 10pm or so and we were shut off. Not loud, stumbling, intoxicated we just hit our 15 and that was it. Not a gripe, not unhappy at all, I understand their evaluation period as it was explained to us. Bartenders were excellent, especially Elizabeth at the Atrium and Luminata and Percy at the casino. Had a great time, just had to go to the room for a refill during the evening.

[drosphot]

If anyone is going on the magic in the next week or two and has opted to do the Cheers program....please post your findings. Thanks

 

Going in 10 days on the Magic and plan on purchasing for me and the DW.

I'll start a drunkards thread about it. No posting in it unless you are intoxicated, might cut you off at 15 posts, might not. :D

I'll post from the ship. :cool:

[greygoose66]

Spike, I asked about the casino drinks on us card, was told everything went through the cheers program first, so basically the card was a feel good useless perk for us, as we were shut down and the casino card was not able to be used. Not a big deal. After what I spent there I do expect an upgraded Casino when I return though....lol

[AndrewD65]

Going in 10 days on the Magic and plan on purchasing for me and the DW.

I'll start a drunkards thread about it. No posting in it unless you are intoxicated, might cut you off at 15 posts, might not. :D

I'll post from the ship. :cool:

 

 

Hahahaha.... Well I will have to Opt my self out now.

[spikester]

I still think you should post it to JH either on Facebook or his blog. He insists that there is not a "hard" limit of 15 drinks, and you can show him that there was a real limit, and they charged you for the sodas too.

 

From what I was told on the Victory, that after midnight their computers can't track the # of drinks that you had, so if you had 11 before midnight, it won't show you at 15.

 

Still, Carnival really needs to get consistent with their message and what is said on land and what happens on the ships. I am not on here bashing them or cheering them. I have been on 24, and have my 25th coming up in less than 60 days, so obviously I have a great time, but I can really see some room for improvement, especially on the cheers program and how it is portrayed vs the reality.

[AndrewD65]

It seems there is so much difference across the board. I think we can all agree that no two posts seem to be the same, until carnival releases a press release about what is what.

 

We all have seen many different experiences, and I am sure we will see many more.

[crewsweeper]

Plus tax puts the price tag closer to the $50 mark.

 

Not the tax (unless you pruchase while still dock side in US) but the 15% gratuity that adjusts the cost upward. You really have to consider your total alcohol consumption for the cabin the cruise (base it on past cruises). If the bar bill for 2 in the past has been over $700 for a 7 day cruise and you didn't drink any higher priced booze or order bottles of wine, then you might save money. Otherwise, you could wind up "leaving money on the bar". You get a receipt for every drink you order, just like ordering without the program, so you can keep track.

 

There are probably a few instances where the rumored "15 drink limit" was invoked on someone somewhere at sometime. Gonna happen. But I think most barkeeps will cut you off if you're truly swigging away anyway. But the powers that bee have stated over and over, ad finium that there is no limit and the program description does not mention a limit at all. I'd say the test of this policy will occur this spring when the spring breakers clammor aboard.

 

Also, re post above, frozen drinks aren't part of the package (but may just be the froo-froo ones). But, yes, you can order a single shot and then turn around and order another drink, just not 2 at a time. For larger or top shelf drinks that cost over $10, you get a discount (they become $7.50+ but gratuity is already taken into account). Ordering a larger drink under the program doesn't make sense to me when you can order as many smaller ones as you want. That's probably similar to the "logic" of getting a large soda cup at a fast food joint where you have free refills from the dispenser.

[greygoose66]

I think the policy aboard Miracle will eventually fall in line with the other ships offering the program. Left a message with JH and will let you know what he says. Believe me if I were stumbling about incohearant I would expect to be cut off..... probably for the rest of the trip, and I would have no problem with that . That is not how it played out however. A little embarrased by being shut off but the bartender assured us it was in no way because of our "state of mind" just the 15 limit policy and apologized to us and even tried to talk with "Shawn" on our behalf. Either way I think the cheers program is great, and would recommend it to all thinking about purchasing it. I would definately purchase it on the second day though, it was nice to not be surprised with the bill at the end of our cruise. Just wish we could have purchased to souvenier glasses as the kids get a kick out of them, also would like to have bought others a few rounds of drinks. If you're reading this you know who you are and no I'm really not that cheap.

[drosphot]

would like to have bought others a few rounds of drinks.

 

This is something that needs to change. Allow someone to purchase a drink and charge it to the S&S even though you are in the Cheers program.

I will buy rounds for friends if I win in the casino, I am surprised Carnival is not letting me give money back in that way... :confused:

 

Simply tell the bartender "A round for my friends, charge me for theirs." It can't be that difficult to do.

[Rowan555]

Just wish we could have purchased to souvenier glasses as the kids get a kick out of them, also would like to have bought others a few rounds of drinks. If you're reading this you know who you are and no I'm really not that cheap.

 

My daughter, who is 11, was able to purchase an empty souvenir cup on her last cruise - I'm not sure why the system wouldn't even allow you to purchase a cup?

[AndrewD65]

My daughter, who is 11, was able to purchase an empty souvenir cup on her last cruise - I'm not sure why the system wouldn't even allow you to purchase a cup?

 

So I can buy a Souvenir cup then transfer my drink into it every time?