First time Cheers package questions.

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, sassy~one said:

Great idea. I'm going b2b and only have the drink package on the first cruise.  Thanks

I would bring a round collapsible cooler with you.  Put a towel underneath it to absorb perspiration and fill it up with your cans/bottles and keep it filled with ice.  An extra tip to your cabin steward goes a long was as he/she can do this for you.  If your cruise happens to stop at Grand Turk, Amber Cove or HMC, you can also take some of your stash ashore with you.

[SNJCruisers]

13 minutes ago, mondello said:

Yeas, lattes, expressos, etc. from the coffee bar are not included; however, Irish Coffee or any coffee with a shot of alcohol in it does count.

The same goes with any of the newer ships in the fleet where you can get boozy milkshakes.

[TNcruising02]

18 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

I was asking a similar question earlier on this topic. The way I see it, stock up whenever you pass a bar or place that has bottled water, cans of soda, or energy drinks. Stock them in your room so you don't have to do it too often when you just want to chill in the room for a little while. 

 

My now first cruise is on the Lido deck. I don't think I will have to do much stocking in the room fridge. Just 100' from the room I can get a drink very easily.

We love having a cabin on the lido deck and get one every chance we get.  We have one on our August cruise on the Mardi Gras.

[cruiseracer]

19 hours ago, mondello said:

No, only valid onboard the ship.

Thank you!

[Qchell]

21 hours ago, cruiseracer said:

Does the Cheers package include drinks on Carnival-affiliated island stops?

No.  It is my understanding that Princess Cay and Half Moon Cay (not aware of any others that Carnival stops at) are not owned by Carnival Cruise lines but are owned by other cruise lines that fall under the larger Carnival Corporation umbrella, so that is why the Carnival drink package does not extend to those islands.  You do use your S&S card to purchase drinks on the island, they are a tad bit pricey, but there is something nice about sitting on the beach in the Bahamas sipping on a pina colada. 

 

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, Qchell said:

No.  It is my understanding that Princess Cay and Half Moon Cay (not aware of any others that Carnival stops at) are not owned by Carnival Cruise lines but are owned by other cruise lines that fall under the larger Carnival Corporation umbrella, so that is why the Carnival drink package does not extend to those islands.  You do use your S&S card to purchase drinks on the island, they are a tad bit pricey, but there is something nice about sitting on the beach in the Bahamas sipping on a pina colada. 

 

Carnival could very well allow the Cheers! package to function at HMC and PC (and the presumed future area at Freeport?), they choose not to because it offers them no benefit - folks just buy the drinks anyway.

[ngrund]

On 5/18/2021 at 11:07 AM, 3LegHog said:

If this is your first Cheers package experience, just remember it does not include the souvenir drinks/cups at the pool, buckets of beer or the 'take home the shot glass' drinks in the dining room.  The one drink at a time is for alcohol, I have never had issue getting a drink and a water or a drink and a soda at the same time.  My wife and I drink a lot of the specialty coffee as we don't care for the stuff at the buffet, so there is some value in that along with the sports drinks and energy drinks mentioned above.  One last thing to note, that some like doubles or 'floaters' on their drinks and that is a no-go for Cheers (unless you really get to know your bartender).

question about getting a double-if I have Cheers can I just pay for the extra shot?

 

(I fullly intend to make sure to be $friends$ with the staff by that time)

[BoozinCroozin]

6 minutes ago, ngrund said:

question about getting a double-if I have Cheers can I just pay for the extra shot?

 

(I fullly intend to make sure to be $friends$ with the staff by that time)

$2 bill tips go a LONG way with the bartenders. Because no one ever has them, they remember who tips them. They can remember the face very well that way. Or do like my dad did on every cruise. He found the 2-3 bartenders he liked the first day, handed them each $100 and they took care of him the rest of the week.

[ProgRockCruiser]

9 minutes ago, ngrund said:

question about getting a double-if I have Cheers can I just pay for the extra shot?

 

(I fullly intend to make sure to be $friends$ with the staff by that time)

Technically, no.  What you can do is order a single-shot drink, and 5 min later order just a shot of the desired liquor, and add it to the first drink.  Both go on your Cheers (as two drinks total).  Once you get to know your waitstaff, they can usually finagle that for you if it is a pattern - just order with 5 min extra time.  (The system times the drink orders - they can't just slam them through manually.)

Edited May 19, 2021 by ProgRockCruiser
clarify how system works.

[florida eagle]

5 hours ago, ngrund said:

question about getting a double-if I have Cheers can I just pay for the extra shot?

 

(I fullly intend to make sure to be $friends$ with the staff by that time)

I read I believe somewhere on these forums that a poster ordered a double drink that was supposed to have two shots or extra alcohol in it but also had non alcoholic ingredients. He asked for the drink without the non alcoholic ingredients in it and got it. 

[skridge]

Don't try to use the self serve wine in the library.  That cost me almost 30 bucks for 2 glasses.  You live and you learn.  Go to the Steakhouse bar at night for the best wine by the glass/ bourbon selection.

 

[whyrlygig]

Our first time with the drink package.  I understand what is not included in the package and the 15 drink rule.  What happens if we want to buy a bottle of bubbly, a drink of the day, a floater or a bucket of beer?  Can we just pay for that separately? 

[bamaone]

1 hour ago, whyrlygig said:

Our first time with the drink package.  I understand what is not included in the package and the 15 drink rule.  What happens if we want to buy a bottle of bubbly, a drink of the day, a floater or a bucket of beer?  Can we just pay for that separately? 

 

I'm not sure why you would want to buy a bucket of beer if you have cheers. But I think the 15 alcoholic drinks a day/person is enforced whether you buy it or use cheers. 

[d12j28]

7 minutes ago, bamaone said:

 

I'm not sure why you would want to buy a bucket of beer if you have cheers. But I think the 15 alcoholic drinks a day/person is enforced whether you buy it or use cheers. 

This is not true. If you buy a bucket of beer they should charge 1 to your cheers. I have bought a bucket many times without them even charging the one to my Cheers. 

[sassy~one]

19 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

I would bring a round collapsible cooler with you.  Put a towel underneath it to absorb perspiration and fill it up with your cans/bottles and keep it filled with ice.  An extra tip to your cabin steward goes a long was as he/she can do this for you.  If your cruise happens to stop at Grand Turk, Amber Cove or HMC, you can also take some of your stash ashore with you.

Perfect! Thank you.

[beerman2]

17 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Technically, no.  What you can do is order a single-shot drink, and 5 min later order just a shot of the desired liquor, and add it to the first drink.  Both go on your Cheers (as two drinks total).  Once you get to know your waitstaff, they can usually finagle that for you if it is a pattern - just order with 5 min extra time.  (The system times the drink orders - they can't just slam them through manually.)

That's why I like Martini's , at least 2 shots in each drink. Easy fix to the 1 shot.

[MississippiMom]

23 hours ago, mondello said:

Yeas, lattes, expressos, etc. from the coffee bar are not included; however, Irish Coffee or any coffee with a shot of alcohol in it does count.

I am not a big coffee drinker, however, having a CHEERS package gave me a chance to try a variety of different "fun" coffee drinks (hot and cold) without being hung up on the price.

 

My husband and I learned very quickly that a cold Frappuccino was a favorite indulgence in the late afternoons, while getting ready for (early seating) dinner. 

[MississippiMom]

20 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Technically, no.  What you can do is order a single-shot drink, and 5 min later order just a shot of the desired liquor, and add it to the first drink.  Both go on your Cheers (as two drinks total).  Once you get to know your waitstaff, they can usually finagle that for you if it is a pattern - just order with 5 min extra time.  (The system times the drink orders - they can't just slam them through manually.)

Additionally, once the staff knows you, you can walk up with your own SS card and your spouse's (or friend's) and get two drinks at a time.  And remember those bartenders might be at a different location at times, but they remember their tippers.

 

I know it is against the rules, but I offered to pay for a milkshake for my nephew and the barista was a bartender who knew us and was quick to say "let me just ring that up as your husband's." (Since we both had Cheers.) 

 

I am not saying these things will always happens, but it is a definite possibility.

[SNJCruisers]

3 hours ago, beerman2 said:

That's why I like Martini's , at least 2 shots in each drink. Easy fix to the 1 shot.

Doing your heavy lifting with Cheers at the Alchemy bar is always a good thing.

[Anung Un Rama]

On 5/19/2021 at 3:18 PM, BoozinCroozin said:

$2 bill tips go a LONG way with the bartenders. Because no one ever has them, they remember who tips them. They can remember the face very well that way. Or do like my dad did on every cruise. He found the 2-3 bartenders he liked the first day, handed them each $100 and they took care of him the rest of the week.

We always tip extra when on Cheers.  Our first rule of cruising is make friends with the bartenders. Before covid hit I think we were friends with almost half of the Alchemy bartenders.  Horizon out of Barcelona was amazing because we knew 6 of the bar staff.  We were taken very good care of those 10 days.

[BrotherCraig]

17 hours ago, skridge said:

Don't try to use the self serve wine in the library.  That cost me almost 30 bucks for 2 glasses.  You live and you learn.  Go to the Steakhouse bar at night for the best wine by the glass/ bourbon selection.

 

  Telling people our secrets, huh?  I like going to that bar and nobody being there.  Don't mess that up.  HA HA!  🙂

[Rayefan]

On 5/18/2021 at 8:41 PM, yogibear said:

Just book Carnival Magic 9-day out of NYC August 22, 2022.

I was able to book it with the RU2 Cheers rate.

Don't know if it was a good deal or not but the option was there. I had to use up a FCC before I left New Jersey for my sister's in Oregon.  Was able to pay it off with $1100 OBC ( left over money). Then I realized Hey, no Drink charges!

 

Karen

We used our RU2 rate with our OBC which was at $1125, so still plenty of OBC left.  We are NOT big drinkers so, all the extra coffees etc will be great for us.  Enjoy!

[cruisingguy007]

On 5/19/2021 at 12:18 PM, BoozinCroozin said:

$2 bill tips go a LONG way with the bartenders. Because no one ever has them, they remember who tips them. They can remember the face very well that way. Or do like my dad did on every cruise. He found the 2-3 bartenders he liked the first day, handed them each $100 and they took care of him the rest of the week.

 

LOL, I do this in Vegas. It's my secret. It works too well. One night I was playing craps at Casino Royale and I was handing the cocktail waitress $2 bills and I ended up with about 20 drinks on the holder under the table. She was bringing me fresh ones before I even finished. The $5 trick works well in Reno and Vegas as well for those who like a beer and a shot back. Take the shot, place it back on the tray, take your beer (one drink at a time technically), and place a $5 bill down. Every time you turn around there she is again, like magic 😂 . I had more than one of the runners on the ship come by and stop to chat with us after tipping out $1 per drink (even non alcoholic) and a couple extra if we were on a higher deck (water slide area) and they had to hike up. It adds up quickly and they really appreciate it. 

Edited May 20, 2021 by cruisingguy007

[cruisingguy007]

2 hours ago, BrotherCraig said:

  Telling people our secrets, huh?  I like going to that bar and nobody being there.  Don't mess that up.  HA HA!  🙂

 

I don't think that will be a problem...lol. I use that as a cut through sometimes and I have only ever seen it used as a meeting place for employees. It's nearly always empty.  

[ngrund]

7 hours ago, MississippiMom said:

Additionally, once the staff knows you, you can walk up with your own SS card and your spouse's (or friend's) and get two drinks at a time.  And remember those bartenders might be at a different location at times, but they remember their tippers.

 

I know it is against the rules, but I offered to pay for a milkshake for my nephew and the barista was a bartender who knew us and was quick to say "let me just ring that up as your husband's." (Since we both had Cheers.) 

 

I am not saying these things will always happens, but it is a definite possibility.

that's good to know, if my wife isn't ready for another drink herself