"stealing " with the beverage package

[Winters in NZ]

NOW HOLD ON... Those are my kids you're talking about!! (Er, 'carry on luggage' I mean.):D

 

Yep - I'm tripping over those stoweaways ALL the time!

 

I'm glad this is a 'reality' based thread!:D:D

 

Those stoweaways usually have drink packages...and it's true, they don't share.

[Alsmez]

Apply a little common sense. If in doubt, ask! Be honest! "I have the drinks package, my wife doesn't, but I was wondering if it would be all right to order one of these drinks for her so she can try it." If the answer is, "Sorry, sir, but you're welcome to purchase one separately for her and put it on your Seapass card," or "Well, since you're being honest and it's only one drink, we can bend the rules for you this time," you have your answer.

 

I posed this question earlier but I'll ask it again - what if you go up knowing that you, the drink package holder, want a $5 beer and your wife wants a $12 martini? Do you tell them the more expensive drink is yours and pay for the cheaper one? Or do you leave it up to the bartender to decide? Is it stealing if he automatically charges the more expensive drink to the package and you don't correct him?

 

 

Has anyone ever been reprimanded or charged extra for cheating on the drinks package? If so, how was it handled?

 

I've seen a couple of posts about people trying to get a "just this once" exception and it seems that the answer is always the same: a polite "I'm sorry, but no."

[paulandfran]

I posed this question earlier but I'll ask it again - what if you go up knowing that you, the drink package holder, want a $5 beer and your wife wants a $12 martini? Do you tell them the more expensive drink is yours and pay for the cheaper one? Or do you leave it up to the bartender to decide? Is it stealing if he automatically charges the more expensive drink to the package and you don't correct him?

 

 

Absolutely. And my guess is most people would not correct the bartender. Even the ones here judging others.

[IslandThyme]

I'd like to speak in praise of this thread. Far too often reading these boards I have the impression that many cruisers are members of the Church of the Sub-Genius (not to disparage Bob and his friends!) but this thread has done a lot to improve my opinion of the intellectual capacity of X cruisers (before they start drinking, of course).

[Alsmez]

And my guess is most people would not correct the bartender. Even the ones here judging others.

 

You're probably right. However, I saw plenty of posts saying "well, I'm getting the premium and my wife is getting the classic, but on the rare occasion she wants something over $8 I'll just get it for her" - and most posters seemed to think THAT was okay because both people had bought a package. How is my scenario really any different?

 

I'm not judging anyone nor am I saying that I think any of these scenarios are more or less stealing or permissible than others - I'm just saying, where do you draw the line? Where would X draw the line?

[Denny01]

Teen DD just returned from Sydney (down from Brisbane) last weekend and just LOVED it - depsite marginal weather (I understand its improved)...

 

CAN'T THIS ALL BE EXPLAINED BY 'HERITAGE'?

 

You OZ come from the land of 'convicts' right? Whereas, us pre-emptive striking Yanks come from Puritan stock... Salem... Cotton Mather, etc.

 

Is this ALL starting to make sense now?

 

And since we're discussing Anglican heritage - convict - didn't our forefathers in the 'Old Country' hang kids for stealing bread as recently as 1800 or so?? (Ah... the good ole days)So what's the appropriate sanction here (and is that why they retain that 'little' yardarm up by the funnel)? And how did 'puritans' turn into such spendthrift tippers? (Jeez - now I do need a drink...)

 

Theft is theft...

(Make mine a double! I'm buying convict. You - 'on the rocks' or kneat?):D;):D

 

I'm not going to get sucked into the 'yes, but...' and 'it's high crime and misdomeanor....' discussions over stealing drinks or "just sipping", but love the morality play discussing values and so on. And it's kind of neat.

 

I'll disagree with the Heritage thing a bit comparing those Aussie convicts and us American Puritans....more than a few of the American Colonies were convict colonies such as Georgia befor Australia took over, so our 'pure Puritain' heritage gets mixed up with those 'convicts' which were usually out of Debtors Prisons. And along with the influx of all those Irish, Italians, Slaves, Chinese, Somalians.....Neat stuff!

 

I'm afraid those Purtain forebeares would burn most of us at the stake for being such heritics, and especially for even considering Drink Packages!!!

 

Denny

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I posed this question earlier but I'll ask it again - what if you go up knowing that you, the drink package holder, want a $5 beer and your wife wants a $12 martini? Do you tell them the more expensive drink is yours and pay for the cheaper one? Or do you leave it up to the bartender to decide? Is it stealing if he automatically charges the more expensive drink to the package and you don't correct him?

 

I've seen a couple of posts about people trying to get a "just this once" exception and it seems that the answer is always the same: a polite "I'm sorry, but no."

 

If, as a drink package holder, you're allowed to buy either a beer or a martini with it, buy your beer. Buy the martini for DW separately and pay the $12. If the bartender mistakenly charges you only $5, thinking the martini is yours, correct him.

 

If a store cashier makes an error in giving you change, it's not like you were handed a "Bank Error In You Favor, Collect $200" Monopoly card. You have a legal and moral obligation to point out the error. The same principle applies here.

 

And if the answer is "I'm sorry, but no," then the answer is "No."

[paulandfran]

If, as a drink package holder, you're allowed to buy either a beer or a martini with it, buy your beer. Buy the martini for DW separately and pay the $12. If the bartender mistakenly charges you only $5, thinking the martini is yours, correct him.

 

If a store cashier makes an error in giving you change, it's not like you were handed a "Bank Error In You Favor, Collect $200" Monopoly card. You have a legal and moral obligation to point out the error. The same principle applies here.

 

And if the answer is "I'm sorry, but no," then the answer is "No."

 

My bet is more people would give the money back to the store cashier than would correct the bartender.

[Leesie6351]

Hi y'all- let me throw another scenario into the mix (or fray). We were on an escorted bus tour--price included full beffet breakfast and several dinners but no lunches. Each day, a group of our bus mates would make themselves sandwiches and sides from the breakfast buffet to have for their lunch. They rationalized it by saying they could have eaten it for their breakfast so what difference did it make that it was for lunch??

 

They could not or would not accept that they were stealing!! The tour guide tried to dissuade them but couldn't. Finally at one hotel they were stopped at the door and asked to return the food. We always suspected either the tour guide or fellow traveler turned them in.

 

What they did is the same as getting drinks for someone else with your drink package imho.

[paulandfran]

You're probably right. However, I saw plenty of posts saying "well, I'm getting the premium and my wife is getting the classic, but on the rare occasion she wants something over $8 I'll just get it for her" - and most posters seemed to think THAT was okay because both people had bought a package. How is my scenario really any different?

 

I'm not judging anyone nor am I saying that I think any of these scenarios are more or less stealing or permissible than others - I'm just saying, where do you draw the line? Where would X draw the line?

 

That was my point too. Many on here have these CLEAR ideas that what they do is right and that others are wrong. It's like on another thread there were people OUTRAGED that someone would dare enter their cabin before 1:30 because it's against the rules. And someone else asked how many complaining about that carry rum runners onboard. And I ask how many speed? Everyone seems to think the rules THEY choose to break are ok but that others should adhere to the rules they value.

 

Interesting discussion though. :D

[Devo1459]

We are cruising on the Solstice Nov 7th. This drink package thread is interesting to say the least. Been smiling and frowning through the whole thing. I am STOKED for the package. I have done the math...no problem, I am getting the premium package and I will get my monies worth. My wife will be getting the same and it is highly unlikely she will get her minimum, BUT between us it will be close to a wash. It will be so cool to just order, not worry about CHA-CHING and also NOT having to sign each and every time. The couple we are sailing with I am sure will be getting the premium package too. Hope we don't run out of anything.

[Alsmez]

That was my point too. Many on here have these CLEAR ideas that what they do is right and that others are wrong. It's like on another thread there were people OUTRAGED that someone would dare enter their cabin before 1:30 because it's against the rules. And someone else asked how many complaining about that carry rum runners onboard. And I ask how many speed? Everyone seems to think the rules THEY choose to break are ok but that others should adhere to the rules they value.

 

Interesting discussion though. :D

 

Absolutely! Here's another scenario - husband has drink package, wife doesn't. Husband orders a drink with the package, takes a sip and decides he doesn't like it. Plans to throw it away and get a new one (I've seen TONS of posters talking about how nice it will be to be able to order something new and not feel obligated to drink it if it's gross, which makes me think this will probably happen frequently). Wife takes a sip and does like the drink. Can she drink it, rather than have her husband pour it down the drain? Is it stealing if she does? Should she go to the bartender and tell him that even though her husband ordered it, he doesn't like it so she's going to drink it, and ask to pay for it?

[Denny01]

We are cruising on the Solstice Nov 7th. This drink package thread is interesting to say the least. Been smiling and frowning through the whole thing. I am STOKED for the package. I have done the math...no problem, I am getting the premium package and I will get my monies worth. My wife will be getting the same and it is highly unlikely she will get her minimum, BUT between us it will be close to a wash. It will be so cool to just order, not worry about CHA-CHING and also NOT having to sign each and every time. The couple we are sailing with I am sure will be getting the premium package too. Hope we don't run out of anything.

 

Wow, four Premium Drink packages amongst you!! Can I join your cruise and hang out with you and sip from everybody's drink!?!? What a blast, and we'd just hope I didn't come down with something that the premium drinks didnt kill with me sipping out of everybody's glasses. And I'm not picky, I'd drink anything you order. Lets do it!

 

Denny

[MacThespian]

IMHO, the all in drink packages will always be at a cost to the consumer where the cruiseline is making money from it regardless of how it's used.

 

I am sure a whole bunch of smart people sat in a room and fully discussed all of the scenarios related to an all in drink package from those who don't use it to the full extent, to those who do, and to those who gift to others using their package. They are not in any way prepared to have this be a losing financial proposition.

 

I would be totally shocked if the cruiseline did not think this through fully before implementing.

 

Judy

 

I don't really care if the cruiseline thought it through. The point is that it's not ethical. If you're comfortable with that, and comfortable with lifting a pack or gum or a small diamond or anything from a store, that's your level of comfort and morality. It's not mine, thiough.

[doubletree07]

I assume it's a given that you'll also be smoking in non-smoking areas and will suspend handwashing for the duration of your cruise in an effort to infect all passengers and crew with noro-virus. LOL!

 

This thread is too funny! Thanks for the laughs.

[doubletree07]

Wow, four Premium Drink packages amongst you!! Can I join your cruise and hang out with you and sip from everybody's drink!?!? What a blast, and we'd just hope I didn't come down with something that the premium drinks didnt kill with me sipping out of everybody's glasses. And I'm not picky, I'd drink anything you order. Lets do it!

 

Denny

 

LOL Denny.....the alcohol in all those drinks will surely kill any germs. :rolleyes: Cheers!

[dkjretired]

This thread is too funny! Thanks for the laughs.

 

Its like the 2nd or 3rd one since they came out with the beverage packages, we used to get the same thing with the soda packages periodically....

[paulandfran]

I don't really care if the cruiseline thought it through. The point is that it's not ethical. If you're comfortable with that, and comfortable with lifting a pack or gum or a small diamond or anything from a store, that's your level of comfort and morality. It's not mine, thiough.

 

Again, I'm not condoning sharing but seriously do you think that the woman who posted about her husband getting the package and who orders her one drink every 3rd or 4th day is the moral equal to someone who steals a small diamond from a store? If you do, we'll have to agree to disagree. :D

[paulandfran]

Absolutely! Here's another scenario - husband has drink package, wife doesn't. Husband orders a drink with the package, takes a sip and decides he doesn't like it. Plans to throw it away and get a new one (I've seen TONS of posters talking about how nice it will be to be able to order something new and not feel obligated to drink it if it's gross, which makes me think this will probably happen frequently). Wife takes a sip and does like the drink. Can she drink it, rather than have her husband pour it down the drain? Is it stealing if she does? Should she go to the bartender and tell him that even though her husband ordered it, he doesn't like it so she's going to drink it, and ask to pay for it?

 

I would think it wouldn't make sense to dump something down the drain if someone else would drink it. But I guess to some, dumping it down the drain would be the moral thing to do.

[Alsmez]

Can someone explain to me why there are (a lot of ) people on the Celebrity board who continually mock people who take Carnival cruises? It really irks me that these Celebrity people feel so superior to others. We have taken a few Carnival cruises and the rules/guidelines are the same as Celebrity, there are the same amount of formal nights, you are not allowed to bring on your own alcohol, etc. When we booked the Solstice, we did it based on the ship and the fact that the cruise was CHEAPER than an equivalent Carnival cruise on the Dream. We are looking forward to a relaxing, quiet cruise this time, but there is nothing wrong with a cruise that has a little more fun activities going on around the pool area. You can appreciate both styles of cruise without ridiculing one or the other.

 

I think it's less about mocking those that take Carnival cruises and more about mocking the content of the Carnival board. Whether the Carnival cruise experience is better or worse is subjective, but the fact that the Carnival board does tend to be full of "how do I get my rum runners in my undies" threads is indisputable. The Carnival board does provide me with hours of entertainment though!

[PartyAllDaTyme]

Here's another scenario - husband has drink package, wife doesn't. Husband orders a drink with the package, takes a sip and decides he doesn't like it. Plans to throw it away and get a new one (I've seen TONS of posters talking about how nice it will be to be able to order something new and not feel obligated to drink it if it's gross, which makes me think this will probably happen frequently). Wife takes a sip and does like the drink. Can she drink it, rather than have her husband pour it down the drain? Is it stealing if she does? Should she go to the bartender and tell him that even though her husband ordered it, he doesn't like it so she's going to drink it, and ask to pay for it?

 

"Don't let that drink go to waste! Think of all the poor sober children in Africa!":eek::rolleyes::D

 

Again, let's let common sense prevail. In that situation, I think wifey could, with a clear conscience, finish the drink. Just so she doesn't ask DH to order another to see if the taste has grown on him, in hopes that it hasn't and she can get another free drink out of it (nudge nudge, wink wink). I'm sure Celebrity factors in a certain amount of taste-testers who order a new drink, don't finish it and order a new one, just as they factor in a certain amount of drink pilfering. The difference is one is an honest consequence of having such a "drink-all-you-want" policy in place, the other is a consequence, but not an honest one. Just because they accept that it's going to happen, like shoplifting, doesn't make it right.

[sasset]

If the intent is to buy one package and share it, it is stealing.

 

If you buy one package, partner wants a sip to see if he/she wants to purchase the same beverage, it's not stealing.

 

If you buy one package and repeatedly find that after one sip you don't like the drink and rather than pour it out and get another, you give it to your partner and get another, it's stealing.

 

One caveat to the last example: Upon the first sip you must really wrinkle your face and announce in a loud voice 'yuck this isn't what I thought it would taste like. I'm going to have to pour it out' . Once you are sure that everyone nearby has noticed your displeasure and they are convinced you had no intention, before that sip, of sharing the drink then you can give it to your partner.

[Alsmez]

"Don't let that drink go to waste! Think of all the poor sober children in Africa!":eek::rolleyes::D

 

Again, let's let common sense prevail. In that situation, I think wifey could, with a clear conscience, finish the drink. Just so she doesn't ask DH to order another to see if the taste has grown on him, in hopes that it hasn't and she can get another free drink out of it (nudge nudge, wink wink). I'm sure Celebrity factors in a certain amount of taste-testers who order a new drink, don't finish it and order a new one, just as they factor in a certain amount of drink pilfering. The difference is one is an honest consequence of having such a "drink-all-you-want" policy in place, the other is a consequence, but not an honest one. Just because they accept that it's going to happen, like shoplifting, doesn't make it right.

 

I agree with you, but wouldn't the TRULY moral/ethical/honest thing to do be to go back to the bar and ask to pay for the drink since the package holder isn't drinking it? :) I wonder what a bartender would do in that situation - probably die of shock.

 

I'm posting these hypotheticals simply to point out that there are a million shades of gray when it comes to what is stealing and what isn't vis-a-vis these packages, and that perhaps the best thing to do is to let each individual decide for themselves what type of behavior they're comfortable with, and let Celebrity do the policing and punishing, if necessary. :)

[paulandfran]

I agree with you, but wouldn't the TRULY moral/ethical/honest thing to do be to go back to the bar and ask to pay for the drink since the package holder isn't drinking it? :) I wonder what a bartender would do in that situation - probably die of shock.

 

I'm posting these hypotheticals simply to point out that there are a million shades of gray when it comes to what is stealing and what isn't vis-a-vis these packages, and that perhaps the best thing to do is to let each individual decide for themselves what type of behavior they're comfortable with, and let Celebrity do the policing and punishing, if necessary. :)

 

Best post of the thread imo.

[sasset]

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