Cheers program in Galveston

[WLHyatt]

I don't think it is a state/city tax thing because in New Orleans even after buying cheers they charge you tax while in the port/river. It is not until you are past pilottown or southwest pass that they stop charging the sales tax on drinks under cheers.

 

My guess is Carnival just does not have a mechanism in the point of sale system for going back to previously purchased drinks and crediting the account for those under cheers like RCCL apparently has, so they just make the program only cover from day 2 and on.

[cruzelover55]

Quote:

"Also, Galveston is the only home port where you have to pay taxes on any liquor that you bring back, whether purchased on the ship or in a port"

 

Paying taxes on the liquor is sort of voluntary at the port. They have a "booth" set up and a sign that asks if you purchased liquor, with an arrow pointing to the persons behind the wall who are collecting taxes. If anyone just simply keeps walking past, they have zero chance of knowing who does and doesn't have liquor they purchased while in port or on the ship. I for one refuse to pay Texas taxes for the privilege of carrying my liquor into their state, only to board a plane and take it home. (Same would apply if I were driving home). If I drink while in Texas, I have no problem paying applicable taxes, but next time I debark, I will do as I did last time...Keep walking and smiling. :D:D

 

That worked for me ONCE. The next time some guy was sitting on a stool asking everyone that walked past him. It was an expensive lie on my part. I had gotten cocky since getting away with it the 1st time, and bought more than you are allowed. Also, cigarettes. They taxed the legal limit and confiscated the overage. I won't be doing that again. Got what I deserved, but it was really embarrassing. (for my husband, I don't embarrass easily, just was mad I got caught, to be perfectly honest):p;) Oh, and I thought I read somewhere you aren't taxed if you are boarding a plane and leaving Texas.:confused:

[arzon11]

so if anybody want to know the rules in Galveston are very easy you can't get a drink packages until you are in international waters. But ! carnival does have a way around the rule you just got to know what you are doing so here is what I found out. if you call carnival up and talk to them in a way that sounds like you know what you are talking about ,then carnival will tell you how to work around the rule. You need to pre purchase the cheers package before getting on the ship once the package is purchase you will be allowed to use it you will be charged for drinks you get before hitting international waters then on the 2nd day of the cruise the drinks you were charged for you be reimbursed. ( by all means double and triple check it out for yourself before buying the package online )

[JaniceB]

so if anybody want to know the rules in Galveston are very easy you can't get a drink packages until you are in international waters. But ! carnival does have a way around the rule you just got to know what you are doing so here is what I found out. if you call carnival up and talk to them in a way that sounds like you know what you are talking about ,then carnival will tell you how to work around the rule. You need to pre purchase the cheers package before getting on the ship once the package is purchase you will be allowed to use it you will be charged for drinks you get before hitting international waters then on the 2nd day of the cruise the drinks you were charged for you be reimbursed. ( by all means double and triple check it out for yourself before buying the package online )

Do they do this automatically or do you have to ask? One poster said it automatically went to 6 days when she did it online.

[dljones]

You can purchase Cheers on the Carnival website. I don't see any restrictions doing it that way but I could be wrong.

[cruzelover55]

so if anybody want to know the rules in Galveston are very easy you can't get a drink packages until you are in international waters. But ! carnival does have a way around the rule you just got to know what you are doing so here is what I found out. if you call carnival up and talk to them in a way that sounds like you know what you are talking about ,then carnival will tell you how to work around the rule. You need to pre purchase the cheers package before getting on the ship once the package is purchase you will be allowed to use it you will be charged for drinks you get before hitting international waters then on the 2nd day of the cruise the drinks you were charged for you be reimbursed. ( by all means double and triple check it out for yourself before buying the package online )

 

Okay, I pre-purchased. It is easy to tell when you are out of "Texas" waters, as taxes are no longer charged. So, my question is, who do you go to to get the drinks purchased after entering International waters, reimbursed? Since, I will not be charged embark day for the Cheers! package, won't they charge me an extra day for Cheers! ??? Thanks for the post and any future info.:)

[arzon11]

ok so first let me make sure everybody understands that I have not done this yet I will be leaving from Galveston Texas on the Carnival Freedom on 7/16/16

and this will be my 3rd time purchasing the cheers program when I first read that I would not be able the use the cheers package on the first day I began to change my plans after searching through google I find a few thing that suggested that you can use the cheer package, but it is a slight back door type of thing. Carnival needs to follow the law the way the law is written and the law says no drink packages can be purchased but a ( pre sale of the package ? ) It's my understanding that this is one of though hush hush things

 

But then again I booked my cruise straight through Carnival and the agent most likely would tell me anything to make the sale :(

[Dobi41]

L

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[happy cruzin]

ok so first let me make sure everybody understands that I have not done this yet I will be leaving from Galveston Texas on the Carnival Freedom on 7/16/16

 

and this will be my 3rd time purchasing the cheers program when I first read that I would not be able the use the cheers package on the first day I began to change my plans after searching through google I find a few thing that suggested that you can use the cheer package, but it is a slight back door type of thing. Carnival needs to follow the law the way the law is written and the law says no drink packages can be purchased but a ( pre sale of the package ? ) It's my understanding that this is one of though hush hush things

 

 

 

But then again I booked my cruise straight through Carnival and the agent most likely would tell me anything to make the sale :(

 

 

I highly doubt this will work!

 

When pre-purchased on line our only choice for CHEERS is 6 days.

 

So if you purchase only 6 days I can't see Carnival "crediting back" the charges from the first day because CHEERS didn't cover 7 days.

[Pops, Esq.]

ok so first let me make sure everybody understands that I have not done this yet I will be leaving from Galveston Texas on the Carnival Freedom on 7/16/16

 

and this will be my 3rd time purchasing the cheers program when I first read that I would not be able the use the cheers package on the first day I began to change my plans after searching through google I find a few thing that suggested that you can use the cheer package, but it is a slight back door type of thing. Carnival needs to follow the law the way the law is written and the law says no drink packages can be purchased but a ( pre sale of the package ? ) It's my understanding that this is one of though hush hush things

 

 

 

But then again I booked my cruise straight through Carnival and the agent most likely would tell me anything to make the sale :(

 

 

You might be seeing information from places other than Texas. I, too, have seen people talk of buying Cheers! on day two and the first day's drinks being credited back. But, that was not Texas -- at least the ones that I have seen. And, they paid for all days even though not purchased until day two. But, if you want to try the wink, wink, nudge, nudge thing, go ahead. I wish you luck.

 

Or, rather, the Carnival representatives might be confused. Wouldn't be the first time.

Edited April 10, 2016 by Pops, Esq.

[cruzelover55]

ok so first let me make sure everybody understands that I have not done this yet I will be leaving from Galveston Texas on the Carnival Freedom on 7/16/16

and this will be my 3rd time purchasing the cheers program when I first read that I would not be able the use the cheers package on the first day I began to change my plans after searching through google I find a few thing that suggested that you can use the cheer package, but it is a slight back door type of thing. Carnival needs to follow the law the way the law is written and the law says no drink packages can be purchased but a ( pre sale of the package ? ) It's my understanding that this is one of though hush hush things

 

But then again I booked my cruise straight through Carnival and the agent most likely would tell me anything to make the sale :(

 

You are definitely right about them saying anything they think you want to hear. I pulled up an old bill of ours, 9/14. We actually had a $129.22 bar bill the 1st day, before Cheers! went into effect. We always take a collapsible cooler, my husband was afraid we would not be able to have beer in the room, after Cheers! went in to effect. One drink every 5 minutes, etc.. So, we overbought embark day. Ended up with most of the beer still not drank when we debarked. Since it was bought 1st day and we had paid the tax, had no problem, just taking it home. Though we gave it our all never hit the 15 limit even one day!:D Please let us know how this all works out for you. We are on the Freedom 9/16. I agree with happycruzin, that since embark day is not charged on Cheers! Why would they refund? In the instance I spoke of, it would have been better to just pay another day for Cheers! and get the refund. But, now that we know the program better, will not be spending as much before the package is available. OH! also, another way to tell you are in international waters is the casino is open! I also am looking forward to coffees, milkshakes, etc... being available in the new program. Regular sodas were included when we last bought it and I did not have info to realize they did not count against the 15 limit as were not alcoholic. So, again let us know how this all pans out for you.:)

[cruzelover55]

Do they do this automatically or do you have to ask? One poster said it automatically went to 6 days when she did it online.

 

Mine definitely went to 6 days doing it online. Which is why I doubt there would be any refunds unless you agreed to pay an extra day on Cheers! Which as I posted, would have been a better deal on that cruise, but who knows about future ones?

[arzon11]

Hi everybody so I spent most of the day going back and forth with Carnival trying to find a definitive answer to whether or not you would be reimbursed for any drinks purchased on the first day of sailing out of Galveston Texas if you pre purchased the cheers package and after talking to three different Carnival employees it seems to me that none of them have a clue how the cheers package really works. Lol. They just read back to you what's on the website hell the customer can do that themselves

 

one person from Carnival said if you get charged for the 7 days then you should be reimbursed " well at least he hoped you would be " those were his words lol

 

So for me I will be purchasing the cheers package for me I've gotten the package before and it benefits my cruising experience :cool:

 

sorry I'm couldn't get a straight answer out of Carnival :confused:

[BallFour4]

It's a shortened package from Galveston. It goes on sale the first full day, a sea day and the do s brisk business.

 

Carnival is taxed by our state for any liquor consumed while in local waters. Hence the changeover at every bar happens within the first hour of leaving port.

 

There's a decent selection of alcohol but it's a full compliment once in international waters.

 

Our cruise companions purchase the package for every cruise and have never been reimbursed. They are also only charged for six days.

 

 

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[babygrljaz]

Hi everybody so I spent most of the day going back and forth with Carnival trying to find a definitive answer to whether or not you would be reimbursed for any drinks purchased on the first day of sailing out of Galveston Texas if you pre purchased the cheers package and after talking to three different Carnival employees it seems to me that none of them have a clue how the cheers package really works. Lol. They just read back to you what's on the website hell the customer can do that themselves

 

one person from Carnival said if you get charged for the 7 days then you should be reimbursed " well at least he hoped you would be " those were his words lol

 

So for me I will be purchasing the cheers package for me I've gotten the package before and it benefits my cruising experience :cool:

 

sorry I'm couldn't get a straight answer out of Carnival :confused:

 

This is from Carnival.com (hope it helps :))

Please Note:

Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise for voyages departing from our Texas, Alabama and New York home ports.

Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise for voyages departing from our Texas, Alabama and New York home ports. Drinks purchased on the first day of the cruise will be charged to the guest's Sail & Sign card in the usual manner. When purchased on the second day of the cruise, guests are charged for the remaining days only (cruise duration less one day).

For those guests who pre-purchase CHEERS!, it will be activated upon boarding the ship (except for ships sailing from Galveston, Mobile and New York). Guests will receive a note in their stateroom advising them to go the bar to receive their sticker which is placed on their Sail & Sign card. In the event guests do not go to their stateroom, once the Sail & Sign card is swiped, it is flagged and the bartender will provide the sticker.

[BallFour4]

I'm curious what will happen for my NYE cruise this year out of Galveston on the Freedom. I've been told from past guests on NYE cruises that the free champagne is flowing all day/night on NYE. If we're sailing out of Galveston actually on NYE day, wonder if they will still provide free champagne to all guests?

 

They have the last 4 cruises where we spent NYE aboard. Champagne was everywhere you turned on embarkation day and NYE.

 

.

Edited April 11, 2016 by BallFour4

[SugarStar00]

Either way you pay for 6 days. When I went to purchase Cheers on line for our upcoming cruise (Breeze from Galveston May 29th) it automatically defaulted to 6 days. The 15% gratuity is automatically added as well.

 

 

 

$344.66 per person purchased pre-cruise

 

$379.16 per person purchased on-board

 

 

Thank you this was the info I was looking for

[Thirsty Cruiser]

 

Now their claims that it is due to Texas state law is debatable as RCCL sells their beverage packages as soon as you board in Galveston. :rolleyes:

 

If RCCL is selling it as an "all you can drink" package, they're breaking Texas state law.

Might be a technicality if there is a daily cap, but TABC is pretty strict about their laws.

[Bookbug53]

If RCCL is selling it as an "all you can drink" package, they're breaking Texas state law.

Might be a technicality if there is a daily cap, but TABC is pretty strict about their laws.

 

 

They do indeed sell it and so do others. Carnival just does not want to deal with the laws that limit the types of alcohol and the fact that all would have to have a Texas tax stamp. A lot of premium brands are not available on RCCL until after they depart.

[Thirsty Cruiser]

They do indeed sell it and so do others. Carnival just does not want to deal with the laws that limit the types of alcohol and the fact that all would have to have a Texas tax stamp. A lot of premium brands are not available on RCCL until after they depart.

I'm afraid you have some incorrect information. It is illegal to sell any sort of all you can drink package in Texas. I'm in the industry here and know first-hand.

Now, if they offer free drinks built in, or as part of a reception, or if they are using the 15 drink max as a loophole somehow, but even with the tax stamp they cannot sell unlimited packages. Others have suggested you can only purchase pre cruise.

[BallFour4]

I'm afraid you have some incorrect information. It is illegal to sell any sort of all you can drink package in Texas. I'm in the industry here and know first-hand.

 

Now, if they offer free drinks built in, or as part of a reception, or if they are using the 15 drink max as a loophole somehow, but even with the tax stamp they cannot sell unlimited packages. Others have suggested you can only purchase pre cruise.

 

Hence they wait until the morning of day 2 on Carnival.

.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Bookbug53]

I'm afraid you have some incorrect information. It is illegal to sell any sort of all you can drink package in Texas. I'm in the industry here and know first-hand.

Now, if they offer free drinks built in, or as part of a reception, or if they are using the 15 drink max as a loophole somehow, but even with the tax stamp they cannot sell unlimited packages. Others have suggested you can only purchase pre cruise.

 

You might want to hop over to the RCCL board and tell them.

 

Any way you look at it, it is available in Texas as an all you can drink package from the moment you set foot on their ships. I don't care if you purchase it ahead of time or if Aunt Edna gave it to you. You are only limited by brand.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=45457488&postcount=4

[Bookbug53]

I'm afraid you have some incorrect information. It is illegal to sell any sort of all you can drink package in Texas. I'm in the industry here and know first-hand.

Now, if they offer free drinks built in, or as part of a reception, or if they are using the 15 drink max as a loophole somehow, but even with the tax stamp they cannot sell unlimited packages. Others have suggested you can only purchase pre cruise.

 

web_reservations@rccl.com

 

4:46 PM (13 hours ago)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Ms. XXX:

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

 

Texas Alcohol Beverage Control (“ABC”) law states that certain activities and guest events that undertake while any of our ships is docked in Galveston Harbor and sailing in the territorial waters of Texas are prohibited, such as:

 

Not all bars may be open and the alcohol selection will be limited

Pre-Ordered Wines: Our program whereby a third party (such as a travel agent or friend) can purchase wine to be delivered to guests in advance of the cruise (a gift purchase) is not permissible. Duty free wine may not be delivered to guests until the vessel is outside of Texas waters.

Beverage Packages: The vessel offers certain alcoholic beverage and wine packages (beginning on the first day of the cruise while the vessel is in port) whereby guests can have unlimited selected alcoholic beverages for the duration of their cruise for one price (collectively, the “Beverage Packages”). While the vessel is docked or sailing in Texas Waters we are required to serve Texas tax-paid alcoholic beverages only and the alcoholic beverages must be sourced from our Texas inventory (very limited supply).

Any of our ships sailing out of Galveston must adhere to this law while its within nine nautical miles of the Texas shoreline.

 

Due to this, we recommend waiting until you are onboard the ship itself to purchase your Beverage Packages as you will not be able to take full advantage of them right away. This is especially true if the packages contain alcohol. Kindly note, Beverage Packages are available for purchase throughout the voyage with at least four days remaining.

 

Ms. XXX, thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to welcoming you aboard in the future.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Jesse Krichbaum

Royal One Touch Customer Support

[jlindemer]

I have read through this post, and could not find my answer.

 

I know I cannot utilize the alcohol portion of cheers until day 2 if I am sailing out of Galveston. However, can I utilize the specialty coffee and soda portion on the first day?

Edited August 23, 2017 by jlindemer
wrong number

[Sebleo]

I have read through this post, and could not find my answer.

 

I know I cannot utilize the alcohol portion of cheers until day 2 if I am sailing out of Galveston. However, can I utilize the specialty coffee and soda portion on the first day?

 

No, because you do not have a package at all on day one. You are going to pay for everything the first day... alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The cheers package will begin at 6am on day 2.