DnD_Cruisin

Great response to a not-so-nice post, as was OP's.

Thanks for your comment!

In truth I deleted my 1st response which was VERY snarky lol

I realized it would be better to follow the OPs lead and help to try and keep this thread civil 😃

I wouldn't dream of doing Cheers if it was alcohol only. But add in the waters (seriously I just looked... a 1.5 liter of water is $5!), coffees, milkshakes, hot chocolate, etc etc etc....

And spiked shakes mmmmm

Chocolate with Kahlua!

Lol I know I was being facetious.

Even on cheers I mostly drink what I drink at home Crown n 7. Not really top shelf anymore.

NC, good post....tell ya what, to show your genuine interest in friendship, next cruise, you can buy me a drink....wait, you have Cheers, so you cant :confused:....tell ya what, I will buy you a drink, and I promise I wont even stress over the $10 on my account :D

$10?!? Ya cheapskate!

NC will be on Cheers and only drinking from the top shelf at Alchemy or the Steakhouse. Make it $25 and you might make a friend 😎✌

I am not "against" it for you....if you think it is worth it, who am I to say its not worth it....I thought the poster summed it up in a humorous manner, thus my "thumbs up". I shared my experience concerning FTTF out of my last cruise on the Elation in May....we were walking up to the terminal, chatting with another couple who had FTTF. They were curious if it was worth it, as was I. We literally walked into the terminal at the same time. they had a much shorter line for the screening, so right away they were way up ahead of us....we ended up seeing them on the Lido deck, and we compared times....they got on 10 mins before we did....My room was ready and there was no FTTF line for the tender to HMC....so in theory, FTTF saved them 10 mins....its all about perception. For this one instance, if the 10 mins saved time is worth $60, more power to you. So by you saying I am "against" it is not correct....I am "against" chair hogs and shorts in the MDR....I am not against anyone spending $60 if they think it is worth it to them

I did misconstrue your earlier comments ... thanks for the clarification 😀

Hopefully we can agree to disagree on the shorts in the MDR. 😎

What seems really stressful are the cruisers that do get Cheers, and it becomes a mission to reach that "break even" point....some of them seem to be on a mission. Cant tell you how many times I hear them asking the bartender "how many more do I have left for today"....lol, too funny :D

Break even or the 15 max?

Either way, you're right, it is kinda funny 😃

I have never attempted smuggling alcohol but did purchase 2 bottles on our 1st cruise. It really didn't work out very well for us. Having to run back n forth to the cabin for refills was a PITA. Most times we just ordered from the bar and as a result really didn't save at all.

I have nothing but respect for the people who make this work but for us it just didn't pan out.

I think you nailed it, well said!!!! [emoji106]

 

 

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Respectfully I am confused by your position on this topic. You and I seem to be on the same page on a myriad of other topics on CC.

If I have read your position correctly you are against FTTF solely because in your opinion it costs Carnival nothing to provide this service.

I would imagine there are some logistical costs, probably minimal, but in truth that's irrelevant.

To me "time" is a valuable commodity. If I am able to save just 45 minutes waiting in a line over the course of a cruise it has paid for itself. I base that statement on the only quantifiable time/cost measurement I have, which is my salary.

So if I win and Carnival wins ... where is the issue?

 

Of course there were less expensive digs. The Devil's Cave was located just below the houses pictured above. Our guide offered to unlock the gate so we could enter, but we declined.

 

Jack - You have a huge sense of adventure ... Why so skidish on going in the cave? 😨

We cruised before FTTF & would cruise without it. However, as long as it is available between now & May 2018, when we reach Platinum status (knock on wood), we will still be purchasing it regardless of additional cost. It has made our personal cruising experience much better.

We feel exactly as you do. Luckily we're scheduled to hit platinum in April 2018 lol

This thread has made me really do some deep self-inspection.

 

I am a money-spender in spirit. I shop a lot online - and never press the buy button, because I can't see spending that amount of money on myself. Part of that is necessity. We are a 1 income family, with 4 children. We homeschool, and decided early on that I wouldn't work, instead stay home and school the kids. So frugality is necessity. Part of it is truly simply my nature. I've always been a 'saver' rather than a spender.

 

So, when the opportunity arises, will I really hit the buy button on cheers?? I don't know. But I do know it is the only way I'll buy any drinks.

We aren't in the same boat income wise and 2 of our 3 kids are out on their own now ... but ... my DW is exactly like you. I can't go into any of the online shopping accts we have without finding things in the cart. She refuses to buy anything for herself ... but .... has no problem if the purchase is for the kids 😀

When we cruise she lets me set the budget. With Cheers she knows she can splurge a little on herself and it's ok. She is able to relax and enjoy the trip.

I'm not saying you have to or can afford to do this. I am sympathizing with you. I hope that life will allow you to splurge every once in a while and you can enjoy it as my DW has. Raising 4 kids ... you deserve it 👍

OP ... Just out of curiosity ... does your DH know the cost of Cheers?

My MIL is as frugal as it gets. We took her on a cruise and purchased Cheers for her. She didnt break even but said it was her best cruise ever. Till about 3 weeks after the cruise and she found out how much it was.

LOL She ripped my DW a new one for being so wasteful with our money. Haha

That's good. My issue with it wasn't rule following because I don't think it's my job to police others. But I would be unhappy on MY balcony smelling YOUR smoke, so that was my issue.

Smuggle all the drinks you want, and break any other rules and I see no reason to get involved because I'm not directly impacted. Smoking is a different ballgame.

 

 

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Did you read my post before you quoted it?

 

 

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Yes I can read. You are quoting me and say "YOUR smoke". So yes I took that as directed to me specifically.

That's good. My issue with it wasn't rule following because I don't think it's my job to police others. But I would be unhappy on MY balcony smelling YOUR smoke, so that was my issue.

Smuggle all the drinks you want, and break any other rules and I see no reason to get involved because I'm not directly impacted. Smoking is a different ballgame.

 

 

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MY smoke? I certainly hope you are referring to smokers in general who break the rules and not me as I don't break that rule.

Interesting poll 😀

 

As you know from the other thread I am a smoker that follows the smoking rules.

 

With that said I would not report it.

 

Like others I don't see the safety risk and don't feel the need to police this issue.

 

I'll leave that to those who feel the inherent need to police others 😎

Upon further reflection ...

I withdraw my statement about policing others. While I would not report that person ... I can and do understand someone who feels the need. If you paid for a smoke free environment you should be allowed to get that.

There is already a spirited debate in another thread regarding balcony smoking; vigorous and civil debate can be held there.

 

This is a basic yes / no poll.

 

If you are on your balcony and a neighbor is smoking, would you report the smoker to GS / Security?

Interesting poll 😀

As you know from the other thread I am a smoker that follows the smoking rules.

With that said I would not report it.

Like others I don't see the safety risk and don't feel the need to police this issue.

I'll leave that to those who feel the inherent need to police others 😎

We are getting the Cheers package, to try different drinks we normally wouldn't buy. My DH and I want to try a $50 drink....lol I have no idea what could cost that much, but it includes specialty coffee so I'm there, we had a large bill on our first cruise, I'll never repeat that bill again, we were with a group and bought for the group also. I'm going to keep track also and see if it measures up.

I'm sure you know this but as a warning to others... you will still pay full costs on any drinks you buy for others. It won't count against the 15 max though

This makes no sense. So he'd rather spend $55 a day on two drinks instead of $14. Higher education helps people with these math problems.

There are spending decisions made everyday of our lives.

Any CPA will tell you it's financially irresponsible to buy a new car. Better to buy a 2 or 3 year old car due to the high depreciation of a new car. Yet millions of people buy a new car every year. Why? Some it's ignorance but I suspect more are like me ... I don't want to buy someone else's problems and I prefer to (for the most part) aquire a worry free car experience. On the flip side some only purchase a used car because that's all they can afford.

Bottom line ... The OP is obviously educated, has the financial ability to afford this decision and will without a doubt have a fantastic 25th anniversary cruise 😃

As to sex, not sure how anyone typically makes such a mess that they need clean sheets daily.

Apparently you haven't been doing it right... just sayin

At Alchemy Bar the martini flights aren't covered under Cheers. However ... you can work thru the list and try each full sized! If you don't like one, give it back and try the next.

Word of warning though ... you might want to do that over a few days not all at once! haha

It's nice to get situated before the ship gets crowded.

To the OP I say BRAVO!

So many on here worry about the financial aspect of things like Cheers and FTTF. For some these options aren't cost effective. For others like myself and the OP it's more about removing stressors and adding enjoyment to our vacations.

Enjoy your cruise and happy anniversary!

Our last cruise on the Imagination I did notice fewer servers on Lido. However this wasn't a problem for me as I prefer to interact with and tip the bartenders. I've found, for us at least, that we get a more generous pour.

Yeah I thought the same thing. Some were complaining to Jen the CD and she twisted her story. Excursions are a big thing in Alaska, we don't do excursions - they are over priced. We'd rather go have king crab somewhere and walk around shopping. Did do a couple of hiking excursions then DH got a knee replacement so that was the end of the hiking trips. We have a Caribbean cruise coming up in November on Princess. I did book a New York City excursion - the 9/11 memorial. Looking for a more mellow cruise, I don't have my expectations up too high.:D

I'm with you on opting out on excursions in Alaska and going for crab n adult beverages. Where we differ is ... it's never to early for a drink! 😎

TBH..I'm surprised there are any FTTF for sale on the Alaska or Hawaii cruises. I haven't done Alaska but on our Hawaii cruise it was like 70% platinum & diamond. They had to hold the party in the showroom.