New for Carnival

[danny_1951]

Have cruised on Royal Caribbean (once), never on Carnival.  Couple of questions.  Do they and, if so, when, do they put their drink package on sale?  Is there any wiggle room on their "if 1 person buys the alcohol package, all people in that room must buy the same package"?  On RC, we were able to buy 1 alcohol & 1 soda package.  Also, can anyone explain Carnival's room categorization and what it means?  As an example, an 8A room is better than an 8B because it's larger or a better location.  We are drivable close (5 hrs) to Galveston and would be going out of there.  Anyways, any help would be greatly appreciated.  TIA.  Dan

[tallnthensome]

Drink package never on sale and everyone in the cabin of age has to buy it.  It just went up $8 a day a few weeks ago so it's not going down. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by tallnthensome

[Illbcruzn4life]

14 minutes ago, danny_1951 said:

Have cruised on Royal Caribbean (once), never on Carnival.  Couple of questions.  Do they and, if so, when, do they put their drink package on sale?  Is there any wiggle room on their "if 1 person buys the alcohol package, all people in that room must buy the same package"?  On RC, we were able to buy 1 alcohol & 1 soda package.  Also, can anyone explain Carnival's room categorization and what it means?  As an example, an 8A room is better than an 8B because it's larger or a better location.  We are drivable close (5 hrs) to Galveston and would be going out of there.  Anyways, any help would be greatly appreciated.  TIA.  Dan

what tallnthensome said.

 

RCI let you get the soda package with a drink package. I heard they'd relent on the 2 but the 2nd person had to buy the refreshment package.

[Indiansbaseball]

You do get a discount on the Cheers package and the Bubbles package if you purchase before you cruise. 

[vwrestler171]

The previous posters covered the drink package question, but you are backwards on your cabin category.  8A would be a balcony on the end of the ship on the lowest deck with balconies(excluding coves) and the 2nd deck with balconies in the middle of the ship.  8B would be on the 2nd deck ends of the ship and in the middle of the 3rd deck with balconies and it keeps going that way.  8M and 8N are usually aft facing extended balconies.  8K might be extended as well but on the sides of the ship.  8K isn't seen as often.

[DiKaiDance]

Also keep in mind that going out of Texas the drink package would not start until day 2.

[Guest BasicSailor]

5 minutes ago, DiKaiDance said:

Also keep in mind that going out of Texas the drink package would not start until day 2.

I think it should be that way in all the ports.  This is me running away from this post. 🤣

[DiKaiDance]

1 minute ago, BasicSailor said:

I think it should be that way in all the ports.  This is me running away from this post. 🤣

Noooo! Let me start my party immediately!

[sgttami]

2 hours ago, DiKaiDance said:

Also keep in mind that going out of Texas the drink package would not start until day 2.

Some people think this means that they can't drink until Day 2.

NY is the same and I've seen frantic people thinking they couldn't drink on the first night .LOL

You can buy drinks on Day 1.  Cheers package starts on Day 2.

[icft]

1 hour ago, sgttami said:

Some people think this means that they can't drink until Day 2.

NY is the same and I've seen frantic people thinking they couldn't drink on the first night .LOL

You can buy drinks on Day 1.  Cheers package starts on Day 2.

Yep! Texas does have a few "different" things. I don't know if things have changed, but pre-covid we sailed out of Galveston and on debarkation came across a place where the the State of Texas wants you to declare and pay Texas tax on any alcohol you bought on your cruise. We just walked on by with our bottles in our luggage. They have no power to search you without probable cause - they don't have the power of the federal customs and boarder protection. It is a "stupid tax," as in a tax upon the stupid.

[Susan in Maine]

You CAN only buy the drinks package for one person, but you have to prove that the second person cannot drink. You need a note from a doctor saying that they have health or other reasons that they can't drink - i.e. certain health issues. I believe you can only do this once you are on board.

 

I checked into this because my 24YO daughter is intellectually disabled and has several health issues.

[momoftwinboys09]

On 6/3/2022 at 11:41 PM, Susan in Maine said:

You CAN only buy the drinks package for one person, but you have to prove that the second person cannot drink. You need a note from a doctor saying that they have health or other reasons that they can't drink - i.e. certain health issues. I believe you can only do this once you are on board.

 

I checked into this because my 24YO daughter is intellectually disabled and has several health issues.

Unfortunately this is incorrect information that you were given. There are no exceptions to this even for doctor’s note.

[1kaper]

9 hours ago, momoftwinboys09 said:

Unfortunately this is incorrect information that you were given. There are no exceptions to this even for doctor’s note.

 

This is what they say but recently I have seen a few people say they have successfully gotten an exemption.  

That was not my experience.  I was told by a rep we called pre-cruise we could get an exemption for me with a doctor's note because I was pregnant but on board we were told it was not possible.  Maybe we didn't argue enough or may be we should have gone to higher.  I don't know. 

I wouldn't rely on it though. 

[1kaper]

Also a note about starting on Day 2 - they also don't charge for Day 1. People seem to think that they do.  If it's a 7 day cruise, you pay for 6 days of Cheers if you sail out of NY or Galveston.  Whereas you would pay for 7 out of other ports. 

 

On 6/3/2022 at 11:54 PM, icft said:

Yep! Texas does have a few "different" things. I don't know if things have changed, but pre-covid we sailed out of Galveston and on debarkation came across a place where the the State of Texas wants you to declare and pay Texas tax on any alcohol you bought on your cruise. We just walked on by with our bottles in our luggage. They have no power to search you without probable cause - they don't have the power of the federal customs and boarder protection. It is a "stupid tax," as in a tax upon the stupid.

 

 

Carnival can and will though.  My husband had a bottle in his bag that was removed this time round.  He has done it a few other times and it wasn't. 

[mz-s]

On 6/3/2022 at 11:41 PM, Susan in Maine said:

You CAN only buy the drinks package for one person, but you have to prove that the second person cannot drink. You need a note from a doctor saying that they have health or other reasons that they can't drink - i.e. certain health issues. I believe you can only do this once you are on board.

 

I checked into this because my 24YO daughter is intellectually disabled and has several health issues.

 

Incorrect information.

[BoozinCroozin]

1. The only "sale" is if you get the 10% off gift cards.

2. There is NO wiggle room on the drink package. Anyone 21 or older in the cabin must have it. My wife has medical reasons not to drink, they don't even accept the information from the doctor. So, it is either both of us or by the drink. We still make out because I can get more than 15 in a day I want more + the other beverages included.

[mz-s]

12 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

 

This is what they say but recently I have seen a few people say they have successfully gotten an exemption.  

That was not my experience.  I was told by a rep we called pre-cruise we could get an exemption for me with a doctor's note because I was pregnant but on board we were told it was not possible.  Maybe we didn't argue enough or may be we should have gone to higher.  I don't know. 

I wouldn't rely on it though. 

 

I have never heard a reliable first-hand account from someone who got an exception. It's always "Uncle Ernie's good friend who was just on the Carnival Oasis didn't have to buy the drink package"

[Pyxie]

There have been sales on Cheers in the past, but it is extremely rare. So, those who say it "never" goes on sale aren't exactly correct. There was a 20% off Cheers sale right before the pandemic shut down and then there were quite a few sales including free Cheers after sailings resumed. But, this isn't common and those are the only 2 times in all my time sailing Carnival that I've ever seen it on sale.

[1kaper]

11 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I have never heard a reliable first-hand account from someone who got an exception. It's always "Uncle Ernie's good friend who was just on the Carnival Oasis didn't have to buy the drink package"

 

 

I have seen a couple of people on this forum say they were the ones to get it.  One guy went to the - I can't remember the title - the person in charge of the food and beverage. 

[momoftwinboys09]

I am currently in Carnival customer service training so I can assure you that it is not possible for this to happen.  Can't speak for previous times yet as of today, it is not possible. 

 

On a positive note, the package is great even for the non-alcoholic drinker as it includes unlimited juices, sodas, specialty coffees, milkshakes, non-alcoholic 'mocktails', energy drinks, and bottled water.  And does NOT apply to 15 limit like the alcoholic beverage limits.  Just sharing 😉 

[firefly333]

I seem to remember many years ago out of Galveston the drink pkg started once the ship hit international waters. Back then there lots of post to wait until the next day to purchase and save being charged for the 1 day. 

 

Rcl only has some drinks available when you board, that were bought in texas and they paid texas tax on, but their drink pkg starts day 1 at boarding. I see a lot of confusion between the 2 lines. Once international waters are hit rcl pits away those bottles and brings out the full stock. Carnival just decided it was too much bother. People are always posting on rcl no one can use their drink pkg at boarding. .. usually they did carnival last and think it's not allowed, not that carnival choose to change to day 2. 

[1kaper]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I seem to remember many years ago out of Galveston the drink pkg started once the ship hit international waters. Back then there lots of post to wait until the next day to purchase and save being charged for the 1 day. 

 

Rcl only has some drinks available when you board, that were bought in texas and they paid texas tax on, but their drink pkg starts day 1 at boarding. I see a lot of confusion between the 2 lines. Once international waters are hit rcl pits away those bottles and brings out the full stock. Carnival just decided it was too much bother. People are always posting on rcl no one can use their drink pkg at boarding. .. usually they did carnival last and think it's not allowed, not that carnival choose to change to day 2. 

 

From what I’ve read Carnival does the same thing. Only certain beer and liquor is available until they hit international water and it is put away. I didn’t pay attention my first day so I can’t confirm. 

[cmichael1221]

13 hours ago, 1kaper said:

 

 

I have seen a couple of people on this forum say they were the ones to get it.  One guy went to the - I can't remember the title - the person in charge of the food and beverage. 

I had the drinks on us everywhere package from the casino - once on board we were able to buy Cheers for the second person and not pay for myself, that's the closest exemption I know of personally.

[Illbcruzn4life]

9 hours ago, momoftwinboys09 said:

I am currently in Carnival customer service training so I can assure you that it is not possible for this to happen.  Can't speak for previous times yet as of today, it is not possible. 

 

On a positive note, the package is great even for the non-alcoholic drinker as it includes unlimited juices, sodas, specialty coffees, milkshakes, non-alcoholic 'mocktails', energy drinks, and bottled water.  And does NOT apply to 15 limit like the alcoholic beverage limits.  Just sharing 😉 

I personally would never pay $50+ a day for what you described if I didn't drink achohol. I'm sure people have done this before but I wouldn't be a purchaser.

 

This is what is included in Royal Caribbean' refreshment package which is currently $22.99 per day. 

 

What's Included

Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages

Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)

Fountain soda and refills at any venue

Bottled still and sparkling water

Premium coffees and teas

Fresh-squeezed juices

Johnny Rockets Shakes

Coca-Cola souvenir cup

[momoftwinboys09]

On 6/11/2022 at 12:49 AM, Illbcruzn4life said:

I personally would never pay $50+ a day for what you described if I didn't drink achohol. I'm sure people have done this before but I wouldn't be a purchaser.

 

This is what is included in Royal Caribbean' refreshment package which is currently $22.99 per day. 

 

What's Included

Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages

Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)

Fountain soda and refills at any venue

Bottled still and sparkling water

Premium coffees and teas

Fresh-squeezed juices

Johnny Rockets Shakes

Coca-Cola souvenir cup

I agree with you that it may not be worth $50+ per day, yet if you have to find a positive in the situation due to it being mandatory for both to buy that's one that I could think of. ? I feel you though...it's not worth it for everyone.