Carnival | Magic | May 25, 2014 | G&L

[BJWill]

Anyone else going on this Memorial Day weekend cruise?

 

There will be 8 people in my group, 4 couples, consisting of 6 guys and 2 gals. I hope there will be other fun folks to meet and hang out with while aboard!

[dndranchguys]

Anyone else going on this Memorial Day weekend cruise?

 

There will be 8 people in my group, 4 couples, consisting of 6 guys and 2 gals. I hope there will be other fun folks to meet and hang out with while aboard!

 

Hi Bill. We will be going and trying to talk another couple (guys) into going also. We had so much fun on our cruise in Oct'13, Carnival gave us this one. LOL! Actually, it's because my partner Mike never saw a slot machine he didn't like.

[dndranchguys]

Reading the straight roll call boards, looks like there will be a lot of kids on this cruise. Joy! :mad:

[BJWill]

My partner is no stranger to slot machine either! I'm sure they will fight over a machine at some point during the week. It does look like there will be quite a few kids but I've never had a problem on Carnival with kids taking over since they have the Camp Carnival program. Besides, I spend most of my time near a bar so they aren't allowed there anyway. The Magic also has the serenity area. It is not near a pool but at least it is a safe haven if we need one!

 

Are you guys heading to Galveston the day of the cruise or the day prior?

[twocruiseguys]

Hey guys. Another Austin couple joining in. Just got off the Magic in Feb on this same itinerary. The casino gave us another free cruise, so here we are. Booked this cruise a couple of weeks ago.

[dndranchguys]

My partner is no stranger to slot machine either! I'm sure they will fight over a machine at some point during the week. It does look like there will be quite a few kids but I've never had a problem on Carnival with kids taking over since they have the Camp Carnival program. Besides, I spend most of my time near a bar so they aren't allowed there anyway. The Magic also has the serenity area. It is not near a pool but at least it is a safe haven if we need one!

 

Are you guys heading to Galveston the day of the cruise or the day prior?

 

Actually, we have a beach house south of Galveston at a little place called Sargent so we will be there before coming to Galveston. It's just about an hour away down the coast.

 

We are doing this exact same cruise in April since we had it already booked when Mike won this one.

 

Doug & Mike

[dndranchguys]

Hey guys. Another Austin couple joining in. Just got off the Magic in Feb on this same itinerary. The casino gave us another free cruise, so here we are. Booked this cruise a couple of weeks ago.

 

Hi Jon and Tony! We had booked this same cruise for Mike's vaca in April, and then Carnival sent us this free cruise so we are doing the same one a month apart. We are not complaining! We live in Harris Branch off 290 on the way to Manor. Glad to meet you guys. Let's meet up soon!

Doug & Mike

[twocruiseguys]

Hi Jon and Tony! We had booked this same cruise for Mike's vaca in April, and then Carnival sent us this free cruise so we are doing the same one a month apart. We are not complaining! We live in Harris Branch off 290 on the way to Manor. Glad to meet you guys. Let's meet up soon!

Doug & Mike

You are not too far from us. We are just east of I35, off of Parmer/Yager. Straight shot to US290 via FM734. Sure, we'd like to meet up at some point. My email is in my profile. Drop us a note.

Jon

[BJWill]

Doug, it sounds like you have the ideal pre-cruise vacation spot! And two cruises within a month...I'm jealous of that!!

 

Welcome Jon and Tony! Glad to see that we are increasing our count. I hope April can rally up a few more folks for us to mingle with.

[dndranchguys]

Does anyone know if this ship offer the one price alcoholic beverage package? Hoping it does.:D

[twocruiseguys]

Does anyone know if this ship offer the one price alcoholic beverage package? Hoping it does.:D

Referring to the "Cheers" program? Yes, it is offered. But because the ship is sailing from Texas, state laws place some restrictions. The Cheers program cannot be purchased for the first day. You have to wait until the 2nd day to purchase it.

[BJWill]

Cheers program...you guys sound like good people to me!! This will be the first cruise that I have sailed to offer the Cheers program. Have either of you used the program before, and would you recommend it? Any draw backs that we should consider?

[dndranchguys]

I've heard good things about the Cheers program. I've read where you are limited to 15 beverages per 24 hours. And you can only get one beverage at a time. Hmm! I guess I can get by on that. Mike says he will just gamble enough to get free drinks in the casino. He managed to do that last time and we got this cruise "free".

The Cheers program has to be cheaper than paying per drink. On our last 5 day cruise, our bar tab came out to about $1000. Of course that was for both of us and we do tend to buy rounds. I wonder how they handle it if you want to buy a round of shots for your friends?:D Or suppose you want a double? :eek: Anyone know?:confused:

[dndranchguys]

Ok, found most of the "Cheers" questions answered over on this message board.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1792047&highlight=cheers

:D I'm good.

[twocruiseguys]

It's not for us. Yes we will have a drink or two . . . Or ten. But we can't make the program pay for itself. $49.95 per per person per day times 6 days + 15% gratuity. That's almost $700. Nope.

 

Sent from my SGH-T769 using Forums mobile app

[dndranchguys]

We are debating. On Sea Days, I think it will pay for itself. Days in port, not so much. I'm sure Carnival has it figured out so they make money either way. The gratuity I will end up paying on any drink I get, so that is a wash. We drink beer mostly so at $5.75/beer, I need to drink almost 9 beers a day to make it pay. Doable. However, if I decide to drink Cosmos, Mai Tais, or have a glass or two of better Pinot or Cabernet with dinner (all around $9 each) the plan pays for itself starting at 6 drinks per day....not to mention not looking like such a lush and adding to the beerbelly.:rolleyes:

I guess, the bottom line is, to get your money's worth, you either need to drink a lot of beer or better mixed drinks and wine.

[BJWill]

Todd is of the same mindset that he will gamble enough to earn his free drinks. I don't gamble as much and like to visit every bar so I am never sure where I will be when the glass is empty. Since we both have to purchase the program in order to participate, we will probably be better off paying by the glass/bottle. I did read where you can only order one drink at a time and have to wait a designated amount of time before they will get you another. I am not sure how strict they are on this but that could prevent the buying rounds idea.

[twocruiseguys]

Sounds like we are all in the same boat (pardon the pun) regarding having a partner who will likely be found in the casino most times - and thus taking advantage of on-the-house libations. Trouble with that is - - in Tony's experience, he has to be playing on a machine at the time to get the drinks. His "On-Us" casino card does not work at the bars. Only via a casino bartender walking the floor. No problem for him though . . that's where he does most of his drinking anyway. And while I might play a slot or two, or throw some $$ on the roulette wheel, I just don't rack up enough points to flag the attention of the casino host.

 

If the rules were not set up where all adults in the same stateroom has to purchase the program, then it might be worth it to us. That would bring it down to about $345. I could probably drink that much. Anything more and I'm the entertainment !! Not a pretty picture.

 

For the record, here are official Cheers Program policies, as taken from Carnival's FAQ page:

 

What is the "Cheers Beverage Program"?CHEERS! Beverage Program

CHEERS! is now offered on ALL ships with the exception of the Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Sensation and Carnival Spirit.

Under the CHEERS! Beverage Program, guests can enjoy a wide variety of wine, beer and spirits, along with sodas and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails throughout the voyage at one convenient, flat rate.

The cost for this program is $49.95 per person, per day ($42.95 on cruises in Europe), plus a 15% gratuity added on at the time of purchase of the program.

Note: This program is not offered on 2-day cruises, charter cruises and at Half Moon Cay and Little Stirrup Cay.

Guests can sign up for CHEERS! at the Atrium Bar, Casino Bar or the bar at the main pool area. Here are the program details about our awesome new beverage program- CHEERS!

With the new purchase of this program, you will enjoy the ease and convenience of paying one flat price for your spirited beverages (yep, that’s with alcohol) all cruise long!

At only $49.95 per person, per day ($42.95 on cruises in Europe), plus a 15% gratuity, this program is an amazing value! Simply use your newly-stickered Sail & Sign Card and you’re ready to enjoy!

 

Beverages included in the program are:

· 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

 

In addition, guests who purchase CHEERS! are entitled to:

· 25% discount off the menu price for bottled water

· 25% discount off the menu price for any spirits or wine above $10.00 per drink

· 25% discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle

 

Beverages excluded from the program are:

· 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)

· 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 – drinks count toward the 15 drink total per 24 hour period)

· Beverages offered at gangway while debarking

· Beverages offered through room service as well as mini bars and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs

· Sharing cocktails, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets

· 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

 

The following restrictions apply:

· Must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors

· Each adult assigned to the same stateroom must purchase the program

· Only one drink at a time may be ordered. No sharing is permitted

· Applicable state and local taxes will be charged to the guest folio when this program is used within US waters

· For ships sailing from Texas, due to state laws, CHEERS! cannot be purchased on embarkation day but will be available for purchase on the 2nd day of the cruise

· Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks per 24 hour period (6:00am-6:00am); once the limit is reached, the guest will not be served any additional alcoholic drinks

· Program allows for unlimited soda and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails

· Carnival reserves the right to refuse service for any reason

· Program is non-refundable

· Guests must purchase the program for the entire cruise - this program is not offered on a per day basis

· The program cannot be used at Half Moon Cay or Little Stirrup Cay

· The program is not available for purchase on Charter cruises

· The program is not available for purchase on 2-day cruises

[BJWill]

After reading the full details you posted, I'm really no good at studying on my own, this may not be such a bad deal after all. I did not realize that sodas were included in the Cheers program nor was I aware that the sodas are excluded from the 15 drink minimum. Since Todd does enjoy his diet cokes with meals and throughout the day, this may still be an option. I will have to do some recalculating to see what kind of cost benefit we will actually have through Cheers.

 

Thank you for doing the leg (finger) work to find the Cheers program policies. Perhaps one or two of my 15 drinks can slide your way as a thank you.

 

I will be the guy that my group is always yelling at to keep me in line...my friends call me BJ so when you hear that, come on over if we haven't met up with you prior.

[dndranchguys]

Jon, looks like I finally have someone to play Roulette with! I like the slots, but don't trust them on the boats. But I love Roulette and Black Jack...but hate standing there alone. Or we can have a "casino widow's club" with BJWill and all gossip at a bar somewhere. :D

[dndranchguys]

BJ, same here on the Cheers program. When my partner isn't drinking beer, he's drinking Diet Coke (I swear he never drinks plain water), so the program saves us buying a soda card for him. For me, I don't drink anything fizzy unless it has alcohol in it!

 

We'll have to set up a meet up location for embarkation day so we can have a sail away party!!! There are 10 of us now, right?

[BJWill]

It is a shame that bottled water is not included in the program because that is where I spend my drinking dollars if not on liquor. I am not a fizzy drinker either.

 

I have 8 people total in my group. With 3 gay male couples and 1 lesbian couple...so 12 total. It seems like every couple has a gambler and a non-gambler, a drinker and a non-drinker.

 

We usually do our sail away from our balcony. Our room and one other couples room is on the aft so it has the deeper balcony that more people can fit on. Of course that's not to say we wouldn't consider meeting you guys somewhere else.

[dndranchguys]

Well, not begging for an invite, but our cabin is an "inside the bowels of the ship" cabin because it was free. We haven't upgraded and probably won't to save money as we are in the process of building a house and we come to party and gamble, ahem. So we'll be at a bar probably to start. We like to board as early as they will let us, get a bite to eat and then sit at the pool bar and people snark...I mean watch. We can do a meet and greet whenever y'all want to.

Let's hope the ship isn't held up by weather or oil spills. My parents sailed out of Galveston in February and were delayed 12 hours because the port was closed for fog. That happened a lot this spring. We shouldn't have a fog problem though in May. Then 2 weeks ago the cruise ships were delayed because of an oil spill in the ship channel.

[BJWill]

Ha! Well I am sure there will be room for four more on our balcony if we choose to do a sail away from there! Each of our couples has one smoker, coincidently they are the gambling half of the couples, so we do the balcony as a convenience for them. I also have a bit of claustrophobia and need to see and smell the outdoors to wake up in the mornings.

 

I read about those delays as well and have fingers crossed nothing delays our boarding.

 

How do you all feel about the piano bar? Or the Karaoke Live? I am a natural born singer myself...although ALL of my friends must be tone deaf because they claim I sound horrible. But that's okay because I never listen to what they say I just belly up to the bar/microphone/PA system/bull horn and belt it out anyway.

[dndranchguys]

My partner Mike is claustrophobic too. We stayed in an inside cabin on our last cruise in October. Of course it was on Triumph and the inside cabins there are really small. He swore he wouldn't do it again. So for his vacation cruise on April 20th, I got a balcony. The couple we are sailing with this month have an inside cabin across the hall from us. We have never sailed on this ship so we are waiting to see if he can handle the inside cabin on Magic or we need to upgrade for May 25th. I have a feeling we'll end up with a balcony cabin. Neither one of us smoke, well I used to and still miss it. Don't hand me a cig, I'll probably smoke it...if Mike's not around.

 

We love Karaoke...to watch! We'll cheer you on BJ whether you deserve it or not! That's what friends are for! Neither one of us is allowed to sing in the presence of other humans or farm animals.

 

I'm hoping the Comedy Club and stage shows are good. Jon and Tony were just on this boat. Maybe they have some insight.