No Cheers package—best bang for my buck?

[maureencruiser]

On 1/20/2022 at 9:02 AM, Crismess669 said:

I am bringing my bottle of wine.

 

Bring hers as well. Do NOT let her have even a sip, lol.

[Roger88]

I doubt you can bring your own buzz with you on board. However, I am pretty sure you can take some bottles from the bar to your cabin to continue the party. However, if I am not mistaken there is a limit of bottles per person to take with you back to the cabin. Need to check this first 

[travelplus]

6 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

I also just did this itinerary. Every corner had a shop that sold $1 beers. Maybe that's not what everyone wants. (I also believe not everyone wants to pound cocktails all day). It's good to know and worked well for me. 

Can I pay in Dollars or is Pesos better?

[famof4togo]

14 minutes ago, travelplus said:

Can I pay in Dollars or is Pesos better?

Either but generally they prefer the Dollar.

[travelplus]

3 hours ago, famof4togo said:

Either but generally they prefer the Dollar.

Good to know. ill bring dollars.

[eyern1]

On 1/20/2022 at 2:11 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Been reported by several recent cruisers that it's still happening. It's a easy revenue maker. Booze is super cheap and the markup is very lucrative. 

They weren't doing it on MAgic in October but I saw another post where they recently were doing it on some other ship. Hit or miss I guess.

[runnersuzy]

Frozen hurricanes on the Mardi gras 

[Eli_6]

Red frog has great pitcher prices on embarkation day and port days and they are strong.  I rec these.  Or you can also do a Fish Bowl.  I think you can also get pitchers at The Serenity deck and maybe elsewhere.  Buy2 bottles of liquor or wine or champs from the fun shops for your room.   

[Eli_6]

On 1/20/2022 at 2:03 PM, Crismess669 said:

 I haven’t been able to find out if they’re still doing Red Frog happy hour.

They were doing it as of last month when I cruised. 

[CruisinWithDLS]

As others have said, take advantage of drink specials.  But generally you have to make rounds and seek them out to find out what they are.  Many bars will sell a pitcher of drinks (margaritas, the punchliner, etc). I believe with gratuity it runs around $30.  But it is equivalent of about 4-5 glasses so much cheaper than buying by the drink.  
 

Also try Tokyo Tea…..pure alcohol and will knock you on your butt quick!

[MizMoon]

I’m retaliating against them by letting them pay for every Pepsi. I’m not leaving a horse head in their bed.

 

OMG - Memories of a dearly departed cruise buddy who lived on Diet Pepsi (but they are not all the same!) and cigarettes - Love and Miss you Eloise.  

ps:  On a Gate One land tour in Thailand, she hrumphed about every Diet Pepsi can - but she was a great friend!  And I'm no bargain, either - Have Passport and Will Travel.  

[travelplus]

On 1/20/2022 at 7:55 AM, sanger727 said:

Most cost effective drinking on a cruise by far is drinking in port. Not sure what ports you are going to. Some have all inclusive beach type setups. You can also just an excursion for half the day and stop in a local bar for the other half. 

Exactly.  On my upcoming Panorama Cruise I booked Shore Excursions in Puerto Vallarta(at the Hacienda) that includes Tequila Tasting, Margaritas and Beer, Open Bar at Rhytms Of The Night.  

 

In Mazatlan on an independent Excursion to Stone Island for $65 it includes open Domestic Bar and Lunch.

 

In Cabo I booked the Luxury Snorkel and Sailboat Yacht Cruise with Open Bar and Lunch. 

 

I am doing the Chef's Table which includes Wine. 

 

On the First Night in the Steakhouse I am having a free bottle of wine or I can upgrade for a little $$$ to a better bottle.

 

In the Casino I have Drinks On Us while playing.  Plus if you go to the Champagne Art Auctions you can get  something to drink too. 

 

I may also spend some $$ on drinks but even if  I am paying a bit more than the package at least  I know I can drink when I want to and won't be wasting money on a package while on land. 

 

I fly in First Class on Alaska and I get my drinks in the air and at their lounge before my trip as well as at San Jose CA Airport with Priority Pass I can have a celebratory drink.

 

I don't drink to the point of getting drunk but more to enjoy the experience. I never had 15 drinks in a day.  

[simplelife]

On 1/21/2022 at 8:00 PM, ray98 said:

I would say the best bang is the simple drinks, either on the rocks or with one mixer.  The drinks with multiple parts always seem to be drowned out by sugar in the end.  However, if you really like to drink absolutely nothing will compare to Cheers.

 

If budget was key I would probably just pick a strong beer and stick with it.

If you do not have Cheers, you can get doubles of basic cocktails for just $3 more than a single. This is what I do for my gin and tonics.

 

[Luke gs Daddy]

On 1/20/2022 at 11:53 AM, mz-s said:

If your goal is to get smashed, drink LIT's or Manhattan/Old Fashioneds.

Yep!

[cruisingguy007]

This thread got me thinking that it would be nice to have a sticky thread "Carnival happy hour.specials" or something like that. It really seems to be all over the place, some reporting one way, others reporting the opposite. Seems like useful information to have on a per ship basis that could be updated/current. I've seen the "drink of the day" but some ships don't even have a Redfrog Pub, they call it a rum bar on Panorama. It can be confusing and have folks showing up on embarkation looking for deals that may not even exist on their particular ship.

 

Actually, It would be nice if Carnival had such a ship information page that was updated for each cruise, ahead of the cruise. They could even provide printable menus as well so that folks that want a hard copy can print them at home and bring them along. Fun-times too. It would alleviate some of the gripe/frustration for those who can't bring themselves to carry a phone around, allow better planning and may even speed up ordering in the MDR since many will already have choices in mind.     

[Buckeye_Siggy]

Not looking for judgement here....😉 

 

When i was younger and didnt have as much extra cash, i purchased online some plastic bags and brought booze onto the ship in my luggage.  I followed the directions they give on packing and never had any of my smuggled hooch seized.  This worked both on a multiple trips and cruise lines.

I had different rums and alcohols and used the bubbles package as mixers.  I am sure you can easily google and find them. Worked like a charm and would do it again in a heartbeat if i was in a financial pinch. Just a thought.

[tonit964]

10 minutes ago, Buckeye_Siggy said:

Not looking for judgement here....😉 

 

When i was younger and didnt have as much extra cash, i purchased online some plastic bags and brought booze onto the ship in my luggage.  I followed the directions they give on packing and never had any of my smuggled hooch seized.  This worked both on a multiple trips and cruise lines.

I had different rums and alcohols and used the bubbles package as mixers.  I am sure you can easily google and find them. Worked like a charm and would do it again in a heartbeat if i was in a financial pinch. Just a thought.

Rum Runners

[Mizzoupoodle123]

Over Christmas we purchased the  premium alcohol package on a Norwegian ship.  I am a widow and was sailing with my 3 adult daughters.  Only one was 21 and I was required to buy the package for her as well.  Since the cruise was over her 21st birthday and New Year’s and included Starbucks (I admit I am addicted) I bought it.

Well, I felt like an alcohol pusher.  I had her try every sort of girly drink.  She hated everything with any sort of alchol.  No to beer, no to wine, no to champagne.  I was very happy that I never had to worry about her on the road or getting too drunk on a date.  
I felt like I compensated by having expensive cognacs, wines, martinis, etc.  I probably drank double what I normally would. I think 4 drinks would be the normal max for me.  The only reason I would get the Cheers is for the water and the coffee.  Since I’d be having to buy it for my non-drinking daughter I think I will probably just pay the going rate.

Any thoughts?

We are sailing the Dream out of Galveston this summer and there are 3 sea days.

 

thanks!

sylvia

Edited March 2, 2022 by Mizzoupoodle123

[cruisingguy007]

12 minutes ago, Mizzoupoodle123 said:

Over Christmas we purchased the  premium alcohol package on a Norwegian ship.  I am a widow and was sailing with my 3 adult daughters.  Only one was 21 and I was required to buy the package for her as well.  Since the cruise was over her 21st birthday and New Year’s and included Starbucks (I admit I am addicted) I bought it.

Well, I felt like an alcohol pusher.  I had her try every sort of girly drink.  She hated everything with any sort of alchol.  No to beer, no to wine, no to champagne.  I was very happy that I never had to worry about her on the road or getting too drunk on a date.  
I felt like I compensated by having expensive cognacs, wines, martinis, etc.  I probably drank double what I normally would. I think 4 drinks would be the normal max for me.  The only reason I would get the Cheers is for the water and the coffee.  Since I’d be having to buy it for my non-drinking daughter I think I will probably just pay the going rate.

Any thoughts?

We are sailing the Dream out of Galveston this summer and there are 3 sea days.

 

thanks!

sylvia

 

You can pay as you go, buy a bottle for cabin and mix your own, buy a wine package or individual bottles or large formats just for yourself or drink in port. I'm actually considering foregoing cheers on my next cruise as well. There are options and if you don't feel like you'd spend as much, don't enjoy the bars/bar hopping, or having to go fetch drinks all day (especially if the ship is crowded and there are long lines), then those may be a better options. Only you know your style and preference. Everyone is different. 

Edited March 2, 2022 by cruisingguy007