pre paid beverage/liquor packages

MisterD21

If you take me serious, it's your problem
hey everyone,

i was just looking on carnival's website about prepaid soda/liquor packages. i didn't find any information on them though. instead i found that you can prepay for beverages through what they call "cruise cash". does anyone know if they still offer beverage packages, or liquor packages?? seems like it would still be cheaper to buy a package than this cruise cash thing. i am interested in this for my brother and SIL... both drink, and both like drinking soft drinks daily. i myself can go without while on ship, but i would like to make this cruise as enjoyable for them as possible. so any info i get will certainly be welcome and helpful, thank you.
 

Jamman

Carnival Specialist
Community Sponsor
Yes, there is a beverage/liquor package and it is called the "Cheers" program. Just be aware that everyone 21 and over in the same cabin must purchase this if you want to participate in the program. Here is all you need to know about the program, which I copied from a thread on another site... FAQ:

QUESTION: How much will I pay for Cheers?
A: You will pay $49.40USD For EVERY person in your cabin who is over 21 years old, EACH night you are on a cruise.
This means even if your cabin mate doesn't drink, you will still pay for them to be on the cheers program. Keep in mind that you do NOT pay for Disembarkment day, and you can sign up on the second day on board, paying for only that day through the last day, but you will be charged for each drink you order before you signed up separately.

EXAMPLE #1: You and your wife are cruising on the Freedom, on a 6 night cruise, and sign up for Cheers on the first day. You will pay $592.80 for the program. ($494 if you sign up on the second day)
EXAMPLE #2: You sail with your 19 year old daughter on a 6 night cruise, and sign up you pay $296.40. ($247.00 if you sign up on the second day)

QUESTION: Do I get charged for DisEmbarkment day/ Embarkment day?
A: You will NOT be charged for Disembarkement day. You will be charged for Embarkment day if you purchase the program on embarkment day.

QUESTION: Can I get this on Every Cruise?
A: NO Currently the program is available on the following ships only:
Carnival Breeze
Carnival Conquest
Carnival Dream
Carnival Freedom
Carnival Glory
Carnival Legend
Carnival Liberty
Carnival Magic
Carnival Miracle
Carnival Pride
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Valor
Carnival Victory
(last list update 12/31/2012)

QUESTION 3: My Wife is Pregnant, will Carnival make an exception since she can't drink?
A: NO. Carnival will make no exceptions for any reason, including medical, EVERYONE in the cabin over 21 will be charged for the program.

QUESTION: Is it worth it?
A: (thanks to Vinman13) Depends on how much you drink.
If you are a straight domestic beer drinker ($5.75/drink plus gratuity) it will take almost 8 beers (in a day) to break even. Then you will basically get beers 9 through 15 in a day free. Saving you up to $49.79/day.
If you are a Grey Goose Martini drinker ($9.95/drink plus gratuity) it will take less than 5 (in a day) to break even. Then you will get martinis 6 through 15 in a day free. Saving you up to $122.24/day.

QUESTION: Is it truly unlimited drinks?
A: NO, you are limited to 15 drinks per 24 hour period. The 24 hour period is 6am to 6am the next morning, so your 15 drinks don't restart at midnight, but at 6am the next morning. IN ADDITION, Carnival has stated that the staff has been trained to cut you off if you get too drunk, and they will. You are also limited to 1 drink every 5 minutes.

QUESTION: I'm a Bears fan and can put away a case of beer on a Sunday, Can I still get more drinks after 15?
A: YES, but you will have to pay for them, as long as you are not too drunk, As a Bears fan, you should be fine up to 30 or so beers a day.

QUESTION: Can I drink anything I want?
A: NO, Beverages Included In The Program:
All spirits (including cocktails), as well as beer and wine by the glass with a $10.00 or lower menu price.
Sodas and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails.
25% discount off the menu price for bottled water
25% discount off the menu price for spirits or wine above $10.00 per drink.
25% discount off the menu price wine and champagne by the bottle.

Beverages Excluded From The Program:
Non-alcoholic beverages other than soda and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails.
Beverages promoted and sold in souvenir glasses.
Bottles of liquor.
Bottled water (offered at a 25% discount).
Beverages offered at gangway while debarking.
Beverages offered through room service as well as mini bars and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs.
The sharing of cocktails and floaters.
Buckets of beer, pitchers of beer, and beer tubes.
Wine and champagne by the bottle (offered at a 25% discount).
All spirits or wine above $10.00 per drink (offered at a 25% discount).
Beverages offered through enomatic wine machines.
Coffee beverages and food items.
All other beverage-related programs including cookbooks and bar books, beverage seminars and classes, as well as cigars.

QUESTION: Can I order a bucket of beer and have it count as 4 drinks?
A: NO, one drink at a time with at least 5 minutes between drinks. However as many have stated, you can ask for unopened drinks, and save them up yourself.

QUESTION: Is soda Included?
A: YES. "bottomless Bubbles" is included in the program, which gives you unlimited soda (6.00 Per Person/ Per Day Value). Other non-alcoholic drinks also do not count towards your limit.

QUESTION: Do soda's count towards the 15 drinks?
A: NO, Sodas are truly unlimited and do not count towards your 15 drink minimum.

QUESTION: Can I get drinks for me and my cabin mate from the bar at the same time?
A: NO, Everyone must get their own drink so they can tell if one person is too drunk, and needs to be cut off. (carnival's answer)

QUESTION: Can I get specialty coffee, or redbull/monster/bawls/other energy drink, with this program?
A: NO, the program does not include those beverages. It also does not include bottled water(25% discount applies to bottled water not in the mini-bar), mini-bar, or room service drinks.

QUESTION: Does cheers work on Half Moon Cay?
A: Yes, cheers applies while you are on Half Moon Cay, but no other port.

QUESTION: Are tips and Taxes included
A: TIPs are included. TAXES while in US waters (IE embarkement day, key west stops, etc) Will be added onto your S&S Account. The package itself is NOT taxed, you will only pay tax on individual drinks in US waters regardless of when you buy the program.
 

Mbandy

Staff Captain
Good info Jeff.

The way I figure it, I'd have to drink as much on a seven day cruise as I might normally drink in a month just to break even.
 

MisterD21

If you take me serious, it's your problem
I could easily save money with this program, however for Patti it would be a losing proposition by far, therefore we would be losing money if we did the program.


oh good lord jeff, that just means you have to drink patti's share..... 25-30 drinks a day, i got faith in you... YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!..... i mean you won't be much good for anything else, but hell man it's a cruise.....
 

Jamman

Carnival Specialist
Community Sponsor


oh good lord jeff, that just means you have to drink patti's share..... 25-30 drinks a day, i got faith in you... YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!..... i mean you won't be much good for anything else, but hell man it's a cruise.....
Maybe in my younger days, but no longer!!! Think my limit is down to 20!!! :biggrin:
 
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