Carnival Cruise Lines Defends Itself Against Beverage Program Complaint

[MsConfetti]

I'm a female and not a big one at that and I could drink 15 drinks over a course of an entire day and be fine. I mean sure it sounds like a lot, but when you account for how long you are awake and going it's not that crazy. I am dressed and out of the room by 9 am latest and don't go to bed until 2 am or after ( on a cruise or party weekend) Not that I plan to do that as I cruise with my child, but just saying it's not as much or as hard to do as some may think.

[joeyancho]

I think the program is a horrible idea and does great harm to the Carnival brand.

 

I totally agree. And if 15 drinks a day is your idea of fun, check out the Friends of Bill W. meetings. I know, Who am I to tell you how much to drink, blah, blah, blah.

[alimo84]

There are always going to be people who aren't going to agree on something that is being implemented. However, it's not really anybody's place to judge me if I'm enjoying my vacation, and if that's me sitting by the pool having 1 or 5 DOD's, then so be it. I'll prob. also have a glass or two of wine with dinner, and a martini or two afterwards at Alchemy. That doesn't make me an alcoholic, but it will make the choice easier if I get a drink I don't like in sending it back without feeling buyer's remorse! I don't think I would use the 15 drinks a day, but even with 5-6 I would be breaking even or under. So, for me, the program is totally worth it! Just as it would be if I went to an all-inclusive with the option of having drinks and food included.

 

As far as getting cut off, and it not being the responsibility of anybody but the person drinking: that's not even true at a normal bar. It's the obligation of the bartender to cut off anybody who seems as though they shouldn't be drinking anymore. Not that the rule is always followed or obliged, but it should be!

[sparks1093]

Found this on the FAQ

The following restrictions apply:

· Guests must purchase the program for the entire cruise - this program is not offered on a per day basis.

· Guests must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors.

· Each adult (21 years or older) assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program.

· Only one drink at a time may be ordered. No sharing is permitted.

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters.

· Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason.

. Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hours period (6AM - 6AM).

Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason.

· Program is non-refundable.

 

It doesn't say anything about being kicked off of the program if you are to drunk to be served more before you've had 15 drinks (and of course that begs the question if you are too drunk to be served after 15 do you stay in the program or do they kick you out then, too?).

[MrPete]

I look at it another way.

 

First, no way would I have ever bought into this program, as it would have had to be 10 drinks consumed for both myself and DW to break even, and she can hardly down one.

 

But instilling a limit to a program started as an unlimited drink program (which they did offer previously to groups, NO LIMIT), the savings SHOUTED shifted from the consumer to Carnival.

 

It was launched so poorly, albeit as a test, with name changes, and different policies, it makes me wonder what the rush to launch was.

 

This all while watching the lies from the inception, with actual returning passengers claiming there was a 15 drink limit (starting as early as September), contrasted by Carnival spokesmen insisting there was no such thing, and the mobs of those spokemen actually trying to make fools of those stating such, each time the issue came up.

 

It was even stated that launches of new programs often have problems in policy. Um, that just means there is a severe lack of communication within the organization. I have been part of many launches of programs within my company with over 500 locations.

 

I finally had my fill when someone "over there" posted in every language possible that the policy was merely a 15 drink check point.

 

SERIOUSLY?

 

And this is an inner core poster that actually had the gaul to say there was no Magic accident two days ago

 

I haven't been back. The brood has taken over. It's to the point of embarrassment. I'm not even sure where one can go any longer for correct Carnival information.

 

Flame away.

[cruzn buckeye]

I look at it another way.

 

First, no way would I have ever bought into this program, as it would have had to be 10 drinks consumed for both myself and DW to break even, and she can hardly down one.

 

But instilling a limit to a program started as an unlimited drink program (which they did offer previously to groups, NO LIMIT), the savings SHOUTED shifted from the consumer to Carnival.

 

It was launched so poorly, albeit as a test, with name changes, and different policies, it makes me wonder what the rush to launch was.

 

This all while watching the lies from the inception, with actual returning passengers claiming there was a 15 drink limit (starting as early as September), contrasted by Carnival spokesmen insisting there was no such thing, and the mobs of those spokemen actually trying to make fools of those stating such, each time the issue came up.

 

It was even stated that launches of new programs often have problems in policy. Um, that just means there is a severe lack of communication within the organization. I have been part of many launches of programs within my company with over 500 locations.

 

I finally had my fill when someone "over there" posted in every language possible that the policy was merely a 15 drink check point.

 

SERIOUSLY?

 

And this is an inner core poster that actually had the gaul to say there was no Magic accident two days ago

 

I haven't been back. The brood has taken over. It's to the point of embarrassment. I'm not even sure where one can go any longer for correct Carnival information.

 

Flame away.

 

What Magic accident? I missed that post or thread.

[cruzn buckeye]

My total bill today was $161 including tips & $75 obc. Believe it or not I had plenty to drink... Would never do the cheers program but my friend loved it! First day he didn't buy cheers & was over 15 drinks... They allowed him to purchase cheers & they credited him all of his already purchased drinks on the first day

Was your friend in the cabin with you? Or was he a friend in another cabin?

Just curious because they say everyone in the cabin has to purchase the pkg. Maybe there is a way to get past that?

[MrPete]

What Magic accident? I missed that post or thread.

 

Wasn't hard. Poorly titled subject.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1780653

[MrPete]

Was your friend in the cabin with you? Or was he a friend in another cabin?

Just curious because they say everyone in the cabin has to purchase the pkg. Maybe there is a way to get past that?

 

Sure. Book all the drinkers in one cabin, and the non drinkers in the other (s).

[LoveFamily]

I have mixed feelings on this one. I think that if it's being promoted as "Unlimited" it should in fact be unlimited. Otherwise, that's false advertising. I might be the one out saying that I think a 15 drink a day isn't a bad thing. I typically go a vacation to have fun, not get cirrhosis LOL. They definitely need to work on their policy verbiage if they're going to limit an unlimited drink program.

[sparks1093]

I have mixed feelings on this one. I think that if it's being promoted as "Unlimited" it should in fact be unlimited. Otherwise, that's false advertising. I might be the one out saying that I think a 15 drink a day isn't a bad thing. I typically go a vacation to have fun, not get cirrhosis LOL. They definitely need to work on their policy verbiage if they're going to limit an unlimited drink program.

 

I think it may have been touted as unlimited during the test phase but that changed when CCL probably realized they would lose money with an unlimited program, so they imposed a 15 drink a day limit. I wouldn't go so far as to call them liars, but their publicity department needs an overhaul.

[frayedend]

It's really simple to know the limit is about cost. They stated the bartenders are highly trained to cut you off if you are too drunk. It also said they will do that before 15 if need be. So what is the limit doing? Nothing is right unless they are lying about the bartender training, which I doubt.

 

Fwiw I drink about once every few months but when I drink I drink a lot. I drank 12 beers Friday night after my son's hockey game at the hotel and woke up for the next game at 7 am. I was drunk but not of control.

[MissMeggieMurphy]

for people coming to a cruising website and reading threads about the carnival drink package they may be aware of some of the inconsistencies with the program but, really, how many outside of the online crowd know anything about the program until they board a ship.

 

break out programs for new products or services often go through some major ups and downs and some overhauls. i can think of many products and services that have been launched on the public only to be yanked after an expensive but highly public marketing campaign.

 

many programs in the real world are accompanied by miniscule fine print which most people aren't ever aware of because they never carry the program to a finite level.

 

just like the soda card and the coffee card i am sure that the drink's card will only have limited takers and of those only a small percentage will be vocal about the limitations of the card. also, for port intensive cruises, unless a drinker decides to stay onboard all day, everyday many may find that the cost isn't worth it. and those that drink to get drunk would do it with or without the card.

 

i just find it interesting that anything carnival chooses to do ends up being a discussion about how their programs are all about screwing the customer and putting more money in the carnival coffers at the expense of the poor dumb passenger who is getting the shaft once again. as others have said, no one is forcing anyone to purchase ANY of the pay for extras offered on a ship, from eating venues, to alcohol, to drink cards in all their forms.

[MrPete]

for people coming to a cruising website and reading threads about the carnival drink package they may be aware of some of the inconsistencies with the program but, really, how many outside of the online crowd know anything about the program until they board a ship.

 

Imagine. People coming to a cruise discussion message board and discussing cruise related topics and posting how they feel about it.

 

Revolutionary and yet startling at the same time!

[MissMeggieMurphy]

Imagine. People coming to a cruise discussion message board and discussing cruise related topics and posting how they feel about it.

 

Revolutionary and yet startling at the same time!

 

ah, the emptiness of sarcasm. used only when someone can't think of anything interesting to say.

[halos]

To me, if Celebrity has a beverage program that has no limits and Carnival does, it just seems to me that CCL has a preconceived notion of their passenger demographic that is different from Celebrity's.

 

Personally I can't imagine having 15 drinks a day, every day for the length of a cruise, but that is ME...if other people can do that I have no problem with it. I have seen people get obnoxious on far less than 15 drinks so the number to me, means nothing. BUT it seems to me that CCL is telling it's passengers, "You're a bunch of drunks and we don't trust you."

It would have been less a 'slap in the face' if CCL had put no limit but instructed bartenders to keep an eye on passengers who look to have had too much and are acting in a bad way (which they should do anyway) and make individual judgment calls. There could be passengers who at 10 drinks need to be cut off and there could be ones that could drink all day and not be as affected...Oh but of course, those passengers who could drink all day at that flat rate would then cost CCL some money.... :rolleyes:

[Dork42775]

I wonder if i would be able to purchase the cheers program for just myself if my wife is pregnant or has a medical condition. I would think that would be a loophole? Does it state that anywhere?

[coops]

I wonder if i would be able to purchase the cheers program for just myself if my wife is pregnant or has a medical condition. I would think that would be a loophole? Does it state that anywhere?

 

No can do. They will not allow it. Even if you had a doctors note. If one in cabin purchases it all must do it or non at all. They won't budge on it no matter what. Sorry

[okgirl]

This is my experience with the Cheers program on our recent B2B on the Breeze........

 

The 1st cruise was a 6 day and the program cost $590ish for my sister and I and we bought it while in port after having already consumed a few each Bloody Mary's after embarkation.

 

This 1st week I found that the program actually slowed down my drinking because I too am an early riser/late to bed person. My typical day consisted of 2 or 3 double Bloody Mary's after breakfast between 9am and noon (when they were on special......). Then lunch and roaming around the ship and from 1pm to 5ish I maybe had a couple of beers and a couple of Mojito's or Margarita's......So now were at dinner time and I've been up for 10 hours and I've consumed perhaps 6 or 7 drinks....definately not drunk, not slurring my words, but I do have a slight buzz....

 

Now it's dinner time and we would usually stop for a glass of wine at the Atrium bar and at that time I would ask where I was on my drink total......surprisingly, many times the count would only come back as 3 or 4......so clearly there is a way for the drinks to be charged off as $0.00, but NOT counted toward your total.......Usually another glass of wine with dinner (could have been two, but bar service is really slow in the MDR)...

 

Then on to the Casino, where I would play a little, go to the bar have a glass of wine.....go play more.....another glass of wine.....and repeat.

 

I never exceeded my official 15 drink limit on paper (though a friendly bartender told me that if I did to just come see her and she would serve me without counting it).....I do think that most days I probably came really close to the limit......again I probably would have actually consumed more drinks in a shorter period of time if I was just buying them....

 

The 2nd week was a bit different because I hadn't qualified for the On Us card the 1st week until the last day, so the Casino Host gave me the On Us card on the 1st day of the 2nd cruise.......I definately drank more on the 2nd cruise and didn't need to be so concious of the Cheers total during the day because most of my evening libations were counted on the Cheers program.........but again, I don't think I was ever what I considered overly intoxicated or feeling drunk.....in the past I've had to watch my sister a little closer because she's smaller than I am and doesn't hold her liquor as well, but I never had a concern on these cruises.....

[onthehighseas606]

Why is it horrible and bad for Carnival brand? They have it on Celebrity and RCCL. Its just another option to purchase. If people are going to get drunk and act like a$$es they will do that with or without a drink packages.

 

We saw that on the Inspiration - however, the A$$ got drunk before boarding the ship. He was sooooo smashed that his wife had to come down to the dock and load him and his buddy up on wheelchairs. Once on board they fell off the wheelchairs and had to crawl to get on the elevator. Saw two young kids smashed as well - but their booze was smuggled. I don't think Carnivals policy is "horrible" after all, they have other passengers well being to be responsible for.

[Shipbound]

Why is it horrible and bad for Carnival brand? They have it on Celebrity and RCCL. Its just another option to purchase. If people are going to get drunk and act like a$$es they will do that with or without a drink packages.

 

During the mid 1990's CCL was trying to move away from the party atomsphere, you had to be 21 to get on the ships, the things on the lido deck(drinking contest) ect were taken away. They wanted to make the CCL brand move toward families. It seems to me CCL is going back to their roots by selling this drink package. It kind of encourages drinking. What do you think?

[Fydlstyx]

15 drinks a day? And people are complaining it's not enough? Take a look at the chart below

 

http://www.brad21.org/bac_charts.html

 

Thank you. No matter how you spin it, fifteen alcoholic beverages in a day is binge drinking.

[okgirl]

Thank you. No matter how you spin it, fifteen alcoholic beverages in a day is binge drinking.

 

In your opinion, not mine.

 

Binge drinking to me is slamming back as many drinks as you can as quickly as you can with the intention of getting drunk.

 

Edit to Add: Per Webster.....

 

Binge (binj) Slang, -n 1. A drunken spree or revel. 2. A period of uncontrolled, self-indulgence: an eating binge. To be uncontrolled, self-indulgent.

 

Given that there is a limit on the program that by definition is the opposite of uncontrolled.

[sparks1093]

Thank you. No matter how you spin it, fifteen alcoholic beverages in a day is binge drinking.

 

Not even close to binge drinking if spread out throughout the day. Here is the definition of binge drinking (from the CDC's website http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm):

 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.

 

Someone could drink 15 drinks in a 15 hour period and not even come close to meeting that definition.

[waldocruiser1]

But what if you don't like walking around with a drink in your hand;

it is 8 am and you go to breakfast, and start off with champain what ever with breakfast (1) you get done eating and have only drank 1/2 of it, now you go to sit outside and get some sun, you get a frozen what ever drink (2) and drink most of it, then fall asleep, you wake at 10:30 and decide to go down to the game/contest in the lobby on deck 3 and get a drink of the day (3) and because it was good you get a second one, but after being there for about an hour and a half it is warm and you only drank 1/2 of it (4) now it is time for lunch and you leave the balance of that drink and head up to get lunch, you go to the buffet and get a frozen drink to enjoy while you eat (5) Lunch is over and you go back to sit in the sun or in the pool when out there for 3 hours you have 2 more drinks (6, 7) it is now 4ish and you go in to see the shopping show in the main showroom and have another drink there while planning the next days excursion and shopping, (8) it is now time to go get ready for dinner and at dinner you have 2 glasses of wine, and one of the special after dinner drinks they push on you (9, 10, 11) now it is only 8 pm, so you go to the show and have 2 drinks during the show, but again you don't finish the second one, (12, 13) after the show you go to the casino to make your required "deposit" in the slots and have 3 beers in 2 hours, but unfortanately you forgot to pick up 2 of them when changing games/machines and had only drank all of 1 and 1/2 of the other 2 so you are not at (14, 15, 16) Oh you cant have had the 3rd one because you are at the limit of 15 even though you only drank 11 of them in the 19 hours of your day at sea, seams like a problem, and not fair, if it is unlimited, it should be unlimited, and if you do drink to much, and get in trouble, accept the results of your actions. but don't limit me for ordering 15 drinks, and only drinking all of 10 of them in a day. Maybe the limit should be 1 per hour or 3 per 2 hours, that way if you are drinking to much/quickly they can help limit you, but if you are forgetful you can have one.