Unlimited Drink Options Included with other lines: will you still book Carnival?

[KarimaJ]

I sure am in agreement with you. We bring our 2 bottles of wine which are mostly for me because my husband doesn't care for wine. I'll have a couple of Mocha Chocolate get-aways at the Plat/Diamond party, and also my free drink on a sea day. I might also buy a Mocha Chocolate Get-away 2 or 3 times, but that's a low bar bill.

 

 

 

I need to know, what is a mocha chocolate get-away? First time Carnival cruiser here.

 

 

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[BlerkOne]

Bad attempt at humor since I am not a wine drinker. Keep drinking the Carnival Kool- Aid, while I will broaden my horizons and compare what other lines offer and make an educated choice as to what is best for me. Sometimes it may be Carnival and other times it will be others.

 

Rose as in a rose by any other name...

 

 

A hint of truth. What is best for you. Many avoid new builds until the bugs are worked out. Your glasses are not one shade fits all.

[BlerkOne]

And you also hope you don't have a bunch of drunks sitting by you that will spoil it for you.

 

Really annoying when the drunks keep getting up during the show for another drink and potty break. Then iterate.

[CheckersMidwest]

Will not change my mind whatsoever. I'll have a margarita by the pool, maybe a pina colada during the show, and something (but maybe a soda) at the comedy club. Our vacations aren't to party & get drunk. I enjoy alcohol but do not need it to have a good time. I like that we can choose to buy cheers or not. For us, we just pay per drink.

[MommytoAsquared]

Will not change my mind whatsoever. I'll have a margarita by the pool, maybe a pina colada during the show, and something (but maybe a soda) at the comedy club. Our vacations aren't to party & get drunk. I enjoy alcohol but do not need it to have a good time. I like that we can choose to buy cheers or not. For us, we just pay per drink.

 

This...I prefer a lower cruise fare and will pay for drinks separately when I want them

[aztekpm]

I always look at NCL & Carnival when I'm choosing my cruise. I compare like with like, same room category, I'll add the price of cheers and then compare to NCL. I have yet to find a cruise on NCL that is cheaper in price. Close yes, but not cheaper, at least when pricing a cruise 12 - 6 months in advance.

 

Booked a mid-ship balcony on the Pride sailing in Nov on a Journey cruise and to sail a similar cruise on NCL it would have cost more than 1000.00. Sorry, there's nothing free if I'm paying more than 1000.00 difference to NCL, especially when their drink package doesn't include water or anything other than pop & alcohol.

 

Now, if you're looking last minute, Carnivals pricing is rarely discounted and that's if you can find something, NCL I have found some excellent deals and booked them.

 

eta: I rarely book Cheers as the price of the drinks on Carnival is pretty good and while I might drink more the first few days or on a sea day, by the end of the cruise, they're few and far between and especially as I usually have the DOU card in the casino.

[SNJCruisers]

I always look at NCL & Carnival when I'm choosing my cruise. I compare like with like, same room category, I'll add the price of cheers and then compare to NCL. I have yet to find a cruise on NCL that is cheaper in price. Close yes, but not cheaper, at least when pricing a cruise 12 - 6 months in advance.

How about 7 months out from now on 2/17/19 sailing to the Western Caribbean out of Miami for 7 days comparing the 2011 Magic versus the 2014 Getaway. Magic is 614 for an inside mid ship deck 6 plus 145 port and 418 for Cheers for a total of 1177. Getaway is 779 for an IF inside plus 162 port and 125 drinks package 20% gratuity for a total of 1066. You save 111 per person on the Getaway, which is more than enough to cover your gratuities to MDR and room steward. Both cruises make stops at Cozumel, Belize and Roatan, while the Magic goes to Grand Cayman and the Getaway goes to Costa Maya.

[sparks1093]

How about 7 months out from now on 2/17/19 sailing to the Western Caribbean out of Miami for 7 days comparing the 2011 Magic versus the 2014 Getaway. Magic is 614 for an inside mid ship deck 6 plus 145 port and 418 for Cheers for a total of 1177. Getaway is 779 for an IF inside plus 162 port and 125 drinks package 20% gratuity for a total of 1066. You save 111 per person on the Getaway, which is more than enough to cover your gratuities to MDR and room steward. Both cruises make stops at Cozumel, Belize and Roatan, while the Magic goes to Grand Cayman and the Getaway goes to Costa Maya.

 

That is why it is important to comparison shop every time you book. I am loyal to my wallet, not a cruise line, so the least expensive cruise going where we want to go will win. The last few times it's been Carnival, this time around it was Royal, next time...who knows?

[Cinders411]

The free drink packages are nice and we will likely try NCL in the near future due in part, to that. Seems like a nice bonus to try their product. I will still cruise with Carnival if the price is right. Really don't consider myself loyal to any line but, we do enjoy RCI and seem to be sailing on more of their ships right now.

[aztekpm]

I'm saying when I choose to cruise, that it rarely comes out cheaper. I know that it sometimes can be cheaper or similar and that I make my decision based on that. Plus I prefer the medium sized ships, so there is that consideration as well.

 

I have no issues with NCL, don't like their food overall as much as Carnival... LOL never go hungry though, plenty to choose from! I find the 2 lines remarkably similar.

[Moz]

I'm saying when I choose to cruise, that it rarely comes out cheaper. I know that it sometimes can be cheaper or similar and that I make my decision based on that. Plus I prefer the medium sized ships, so there is that consideration as well.

 

I have no issues with NCL, don't like their food overall as much as Carnival... LOL never go hungry though, plenty to choose from! I find the 2 lines remarkably similar.

 

Carnival was always our cruise line of choice until we tried NCL and found it less expensive considering the cheers package on Carnival. Then we tried RCL which blew us away, same price with drinks. The real reason for the change for us has been the clientele which is so different on both NCL and RCL. Carnival sadly has become the raunchiest line with the potty mouthed late comedy show, the baseball caps and FFS promotions and offensive t-shirts in dining room. The other lines are definitely upscale and we are just average people. Too bad as Carnival has great food and service.

[quickrate]

In answer to the op's question, no, it would not/does not sway us. I just received an offer from MSC and their included drink package is a basic type that only included well brands with soda mixers and only Heineken draft beer or a limited list of bottled beers, no frozen drinks, no name brand liquors, unless you paid for an upgraded package.

 

JMHO/YMMV

We are taking our first MSC cruise in December with the included drink package. From what I can see, you can upgrade to the deluxe drink package for $26 a person per day and that includes grat. so for half of what you would pay for Carnival's cheers program, you can get unlimited drinks, bottle water, and mini bar in your room included.

Pat

[jimbo5544]

Carnival was always our cruise line of choice until we tried NCL and found it less expensive considering the cheers package on Carnival. Then we tried RCL which blew us away, same price with drinks. The real reason for the change for us has been the clientele which is so different on both NCL and RCL. Carnival sadly has become the raunchiest line with the potty mouthed late comedy show, the baseball caps and FFS promotions and offensive t-shirts in dining room. The other lines are definitely upscale and we are just average people. Too bad as Carnival has great food and service.

 

 

 

I always wonder what ships people are on that see all this. Also wonder why people steal threads..... oh well, too much wondering today. Ncl has a good gimmick on the “free drinks” (that are not free tho). Their president thinks he put one over on you all. Me thinks he is correct.

 

 

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[quickrate]

Carnival was always our cruise line of choice until we tried NCL and found it less expensive considering the cheers package on Carnival. Then we tried RCL which blew us away, same price with drinks. The real reason for the change for us has been the clientele which is so different on both NCL and RCL. Carnival sadly has become the raunchiest line with the potty mouthed late comedy show, the baseball caps and FFS promotions and offensive t-shirts in dining room. The other lines are definitely upscale and we are just average people. Too bad as Carnival has great food and service.

I would't call RCL or NCL more upscale than Carnival as they are all mainstream lines. We aren't bothered by the things you seem to find offensive so that never comes into the equation of which cruiseline we book. All depends on price and ports.

Pat

[quickrate]

I always wonder what ships people are on that see all this. Also wonder why people steal threads..... oh well, too much wondering today. Ncl has a good gimmick on the “free drinks” (that are not free tho). Their president thinks he put one over on you all. Me thinks he is correct.

 

 

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Jimbo, the drink package is free, you are only paying grat. up front. Example, for a 14 day cruises we paid around $450 for unlimited drinks and 4 specialty dining restaurants that included all grat. It came to around $12.50 a person per day. that is equal to about 1 drink per person on Carnival.

Pat

[sparks1093]

Jimbo, the drink package is free, you are only paying grat. up front. Example, for a 14 day cruises we paid around $450 for unlimited drinks and 4 specialty dining restaurants that included all grat. It came to around $12.50 a person per day. that is equal to about 1 drink per person on Carnival.

Pat

 

It's been (in the vast majority of sailings) rolled into the cruise fare, which is what is meant by "not free". Nothing I've read would indicate that a cruise on Escape is worth twice what a cruise on Anthem costs, but that was the pricing I saw.

[jimbo5544]

Jimbo, the drink package is free, you are only paying grat. up front. Example, for a 14 day cruises we paid around $450 for unlimited drinks and 4 specialty dining restaurants that included all grat. It came to around $12.50 a person per day. that is equal to about 1 drink per person on Carnival.

 

Pat

 

 

 

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Do you really think they give stuff away? Esp from the nickel and dime king. They mark up the fare to cover the package. No secret, they freely admit it. Heard it from the horses mouth directly. For those that don’t drink, they are paying for the drinkers. Quick question, can you get top shelf with this great deal? Same for the excursions. As I said, have to hand it to him, he has the majority hoodwinked.

 

 

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[BlerkOne]

We are taking our first MSC cruise in December with the included drink package. From what I can see, you can upgrade to the deluxe drink package for $26 a person per day and that includes grat. so for half of what you would pay for Carnival's cheers program, you can get unlimited drinks, bottle water, and mini bar in your room included.

Pat

 

They make it up in lack of closet space and flat iron steak in the steakhouse.

[quickrate]

It's been (in the vast majority of sailings) rolled into the cruise fare, which is what is meant by "not free". Nothing I've read would indicate that a cruise on Escape is worth twice what a cruise on Anthem costs, but that was the pricing I saw.

Depends on the cruise. We took a 14 day TA on NCL last April. Price for everything was $3400. that was cruise, port taxes, gratuities, drinks, specialty dining in a balcony cabin. There was nothing else on the ship to spend money on unless you gamble, which I do, or are a shopper which neither of us are. We came back on the Horizon and it was $4200 whcih included port taxes and grat. but no drinks or specialty dining. I love Carnival, use to be the only line I would cruise, but I'm finding there are a lot better deals out there. We are trying MSC in December, was able to status match so we will have their black card with all the perks. Rediculous price of $1460 in a balcony cabin includes drink package. Carnival can't touch that!!

Pat

[quickrate]

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Do you really think they give stuff away? Esp from the nickel and dime king. They mark up the fare to cover the package. No secret, they freely admit it. Heard it from the horses mouth directly. For those that don’t drink, they are paying for the drinkers. Quick question, can you get top shelf with this great deal? Same for the excursions. As I said, have to hand it to him, he has the majority hoodwinked.

 

 

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any drink on the menu that is $15 and under and if over $15, you only pay price difference. Noen of us were drinking drinks that went over $15. I love Carnival and up until now, they have been our only cruise line. But, like others, we are branching out. We are both Diamond, still book our share of Carnival cruises, but finding there are great deals out there.

Pat

[Joebucks]

We are taking our first MSC cruise in December with the included drink package. From what I can see, you can upgrade to the deluxe drink package for $26 a person per day and that includes grat. so for half of what you would pay for Carnival's cheers program, you can get unlimited drinks, bottle water, and mini bar in your room included.

Pat

 

I'm not 100% familiar with MSC. I do plan on testing them one day, and I appreciate their status match. Isn't that the plan that gives you 12 vouchers for well drinks?

[Tatka]

Carnival was always our cruise line of choice until we tried NCL and found it less expensive considering the cheers package on Carnival. Then we tried RCL which blew us away, same price with drinks. The real reason for the change for us has been the clientele which is so different on both NCL and RCL. Carnival sadly has become the raunchiest line with the potty mouthed late comedy show, the baseball caps and FFS promotions and offensive t-shirts in dining room. The other lines are definitely upscale and we are just average people. Too bad as Carnival has great food and service.

 

 

 

Became? We saw this difference since our first Carnival cruise in 2005, but we did give them several more chances.

To be fair RCCL and NCL on certain itins with deep sales can also be a bit like that, but not to that extent.

 

Try Princess and Celebrity, they are even more refined (without snobbishness)

[BNBR]

Depends on the cruise. We took a 14 day TA on NCL last April. Price for everything was $3400. that was cruise, port taxes, gratuities, drinks, specialty dining in a balcony cabin. There was nothing else on the ship to spend money on unless you gamble, which I do, or are a shopper which neither of us are. We came back on the Horizon and it was $4200 whcih included port taxes and grat. but no drinks or specialty dining. I love Carnival, use to be the only line I would cruise, but I'm finding there are a lot better deals out there. We are trying MSC in December, was able to status match so we will have their black card with all the perks. Rediculous price of $1460 in a balcony cabin includes drink package. Carnival can't touch that!!

Pat

 

The savings on drink package vs Carnival can work in NCL's favor on longer cruises. You are also comparing with Carnival Horizon which commands a premium at the moment. But the point is still clear, that NCL absolutely bakes all the "free" perks in to the fare and more often than not, NCL cost more, even when factoring in the drink package difference. If you are not a heavy drinker, than for many, saving 50% on the fare can be a huge savings sticking with Carnival as well and you can buy a decent amount of drinks as you go, and still come out ahead.

[jimbo5544]

Depends on the cruise. We took a 14 day TA on NCL last April. Price for everything was $3400. that was cruise, port taxes, gratuities, drinks, specialty dining in a balcony cabin. There was nothing else on the ship to spend money on unless you gamble, which I do, or are a shopper which neither of us are. We came back on the Horizon and it was $4200 whcih included port taxes and grat. but no drinks or specialty dining. I love Carnival, use to be the only line I would cruise, but I'm finding there are a lot better deals out there. We are trying MSC in December, was able to status match so we will have their black card with all the perks. Rediculous price of $1460 in a balcony cabin includes drink package. Carnival can't touch that!!

Pat

Which NCL ships do not have for pay restaurants? Are these free now? You cannot compare a TA to regular cruise, apples and oranges.

[tallnthensome]

Depends on the cruise. We took a 14 day TA on NCL last April. Price for everything was $3400. that was cruise, port taxes, gratuities, drinks, specialty dining in a balcony cabin. There was nothing else on the ship to spend money on unless you gamble, which I do, or are a shopper which neither of us are. We came back on the Horizon and it was $4200 whcih included port taxes and grat. but no drinks or specialty dining. I love Carnival, use to be the only line I would cruise, but I'm finding there are a lot better deals out there. We are trying MSC in December, was able to status match so we will have their black card with all the perks. Rediculous price of $1460 in a balcony cabin includes drink package. Carnival can't touch that!!

Pat

I definately agree, the longer the cruise the better the deal with a drink package. You're only paying a small service charge on NCL every day versus a full price daily charge when purchasing drink package like Cheers. $428 for our 15 day versus $1800 for Cheers on a similar Carnival cruise. The longer the cruise the more valuable a "free" drink package becomes comparatively speaking. $15 service charge daily on NCL versus $56 a day for Cheers. You can see how quickly the cost gap increases with each day. The difference or savings on a three day cruise for two wouldn't be as apparent when comparing a free drink package fee to Cheers daily as it is on a 15 day. BTW, MSC blows Carnival away, we love the Seaside ..... and I can say that even with a Carnival cruise booked at this moment. We are loyal to none.