Pre-purchase Cheers....How's it working out?

[pmoniz]

Wondering how it's working out - specifically on the Sunshine - for people pre-purchasing the Cheers package online?

 

Is everyone still waiting in line to get your sticker or is your card already set up on your S&S card when you board?

[DHnDWplus2]

Can't speak for Sunshine, but on the Breeze in October, it was all set up and ready to go! I guess the first bartender added the sticker, because i remember seeing it later in the cruise. It happened without me saying a word...

 

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[pmoniz]

Can't speak for Sunshine, but on the Breeze in October, it was all set up and ready to go! I guess the first bartender added the sticker, because i remember seeing it later in the cruise. It happened without me saying a word...

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

 

Excellent!! Thank you!! Hopefully the same on the Sunshine!! Really like to just get it out of the way and purchase it in advance!

[WLHyatt]

Same here. Just walked up to a bar and ordered a drink and she put the sticker on.

[notyours75]

Other than not having to wait in line to sign up are there any other advantages or disadvantages to signing up before the cruise? We're still on the fence about purchasing it for our upcoming Freedom cruise in Jan.

[BoBandy]

Thanks for asking this question. I was intending on it myself. We are probably going to pre-purchase for our Jan cruise. I know people say there's no real benefit. But for us it's just one less thing to worry about. All set and ready to go. Thanks!

[bradm77]

I think that if you pre-purchase that you dont have to pay the sales tax......

[10Jan54]

there is no difference either way. You only pay tax at US ports and that gets put right on the slip you have to sign since they do not know what drinks you will have and where.

[T's MOM]

Is tax charged if you pre-pay for the beverage package?

[notyours75]

If I add Cheers to our cart on carnival.com it initially says taxes will be determined. When I enter in all the data and go to the payment page it then shows taxes and port fees are 0. (At least out of Galveston, Tx)

[pmoniz]

Thanks for asking this question. I was intending on it myself. We are probably going to pre-purchase for our Jan cruise. I know people say there's no real benefit. But for us it's just one less thing to worry about. All set and ready to go. Thanks!

 

That's exactly the reason why we'd like to pre-purchase as well!!

[WLHyatt]

No sales tax ahead of time or in port.

 

The only place you pay sales tax is on the individual drink before getting into international waters.

[winddawn]

Wondering how it's working out - specifically on the Sunshine - for people pre-purchasing the Cheers package online?

 

Is everyone still waiting in line to get your sticker or is your card already set up on your S&S card when you board?

My thinking is if you gamble it may not be worthwhile since its pretty easy to get free drinks in the casino, and then you can come out cheaper by supplementing that with a pre-cruise purchase from the Fun Shops. If Carnival included bottled water and coffee shop coffee with their beverage package, it might be different, but they don't.

 

Guess it depends on your particular circumstances.

[pmoniz]

My thinking is if you gamble it may not be worthwhile since its pretty easy to get free drinks in the casino, and then you can come out cheaper by supplementing that with a pre-cruise purchase from the Fun Shops. If Carnival included bottled water and coffee shop coffee with their beverage package, it might be different, but they don't.

 

Guess it depends on your particular circumstances.

 

Definitely depends on circumstances! Cheers is worth it for us! Especially with all the sea days we have! We have no problem making it worth the money?

 

We do gamble - a little bit - and I've never got a free drink in all the cruises I've been on!

 

But thank you for the info!

[maxwell'sparents]

Other than not having to wait in line to sign up are there any other advantages or disadvantages to signing up before the cruise? We're still on the fence about purchasing it for our upcoming Freedom cruise in Jan.

 

I wanted to purchase it ahead of time only to find out that I can not use any of my gift cards for it online. So I'll be waiting until i'm on board.

[volmoma]

I wanted to purchase it ahead of time only to find out that I can not use any of my gift cards for it online. So I'll be waiting until i'm on board.

 

 

Was there an explanation for not being able to use gift cards on line???? I've never tried to use ours but they've worked everywhere else we've used them. Just curious.

[maxwell'sparents]

Was there an explanation for not being able to use gift cards on line???? I've never tried to use ours but they've worked everywhere else we've used them. Just curious.

 

No explanation. It wasn't very clear when I was trying to check out. But there wasn't anything such as "apply gift card" or "enter gift card" (as you see when using them to make a cruise payment). So I searched the FAQs to find out

 

"At this time, gift cards cannot be used to purchase items from The Fun Shops (bon voyage items), either by phone or online"

[Jenner9]

Good to know as I was thinking about asking the same thing! I am on Breeze in January and want to pre-purchase; however, I am bummed I cannot use my gift cards online. That stinks. So, if I pre-purchase I should not have to wait anywhere for a sticker. Just go to the bar and order a drink and it should show I have Cheers in the computer, correct?

[winddawn]

Hope you find the most economical way to enjoy your cruise with all the benefits that make it fun!

 

If you do gamble, even not a lot, be sure to keep track of your points (which show on every slot machine you play), to see if you can get free drinks. Ask any casino host if you need more info.

 

Hope you have a fun cruise!

Edited December 9, 2015 by winddawn

[peachesncream4u]

Is the cheers program worth it? What do drinks usually run anyway?

[NikkiJ1983]

It's worth it...,,,, for us at least. We like the challenge of making it "worth it" even on port heavy cruises. Drinks average $6-$13 per drink.

[mmckm]

Is the cheers program worth it? What do drinks usually run anyway?

 

Depends how much you drink. Your the only one who can determine if its worth it for you. Do a search and there is price lists for the cost drinks.

[Jenner9]

I think it is worth it. You only need 6 or 7 to break even and it includes soda.

[pmoniz]

Hope you find the most economical way to enjoy your cruise with all the benefits that make it fun!

 

If you do gamble, even not a lot, be sure to keep track of your points (which show on every slot machine you play), to see if you can get free drinks. Ask any casino host if you need more info.

 

Hope you have a fun cruise!

 

Thank you!!! I will keep that in mind when I hit the casino!! We usually stick to Let It Ride! And occasionally stop at a slot machine! So I'll make sure I keep the host informed and keep track of my points! Thank you again!!

[pmoniz]

Is the cheers program worth it? What do drinks usually run anyway?

 

As others have stated if you drink 5-6 mixed drinks a day you pretty much break even! It's worth it for us!