300dtc Posted September 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 19, 2017 We have only cruised on Carnival once, some years ago and I can't recall what we spent on drinks. We are used to NCL and the "included beverage package" in our most recent cruises. With all that being said, those of you who do buy the cheers package, do you feel that you paid a reasonable amount for what you got? We both like some fun pool drinks, maybe beer with lunch, wine with dinner, then usually drinks in shows or the casino....thank you [emoji41] Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swscruiser Posted September 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 19, 2017 with mixed drinks breakeven point is 7-8 drinking be more if drinking only beer per day per person since you both have to purchase it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebleo Posted September 19, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 19, 2017 We broke even with about 6 drinks a day. Some days 5. Drinking margaritas, pina coladas, wine and the occasional martini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cruisegirl6 Posted September 19, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Carnival is the only cruise line that has a limit, maximum 15 alcoholic drinks, even if you just drink beer your limit will be 15 daily. Most of their glasses were cut smaller a few years ago, so if you compare what you get from a Royal Caribbean cruise who actually is unlimited, your glasses for "standard" drinks such as a rum and coke, jack and coke, etc, will be served in a larger glass, Carnival's glassware is smaller...but to answer your question, since I drink martini's yes I feel its worth it, I never got to 15 drinks but hate worrying when I be cut off lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLRM Posted September 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Keep in mind, the 15 only applies to alcohol. Sodas, coffee, shakes, Red Bulls, etc. The cost covers ALL drinks. Don't forget to figure those into your daily amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted September 20, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Their up martini is about 3 oz of vodka (don't like gin), a martini on the rocks is 1 1/2 oz. They make excellent martinis, extra olives please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my kids mama Posted September 20, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I haven't sailed on NCL so I can't compare. For me, the cheers program allows me to have top shelf drinks and not have to worry about how much it costs. I will pick the best wine available at dinner instead of "house" wine. If I am having a martini, I will request grey goose etc.... It's break even for me after about 5 drinks which I can easily do on a fun day at sea and probably would even do that on port days. Do they let you have top shelf on NCL with the included drink package? I am curious about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matysgirl Posted September 20, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Wait so if I get a soda it counts against the 15??? Keep in mind, the 15 only applies to alcohol. Sodas, coffee, shakes, Red Bulls, etc. The cost covers ALL drinks. Don't forget to figure those into your daily amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddlb Posted September 20, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Wait so if I get a soda it counts against the 15??? No - 15 alcohol drinks - the others are included but don't count against the 15! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
300dtc Posted September 20, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I haven't sailed on NCL so I can't compare. For me, the cheers program allows me to have top shelf drinks and not have to worry about how much it costs. I will pick the best wine available at dinner instead of "house" wine. If I am having a martini, I will request grey goose etc.... It's break even for me after about 5 drinks which I can easily do on a fun day at sea and probably would even do that on port days. Do they let you have top shelf on NCL with the included drink package? I am curious about that? Yes, the unlimited beverage package includes any drink under $15.00, si I usually drink grey goose, or absolute vodka. It does not include water or energy drinks or specialty coffees though, but there is not a limit to number of drinks...not that I ever could drink 15 drinks in one day, but I'm sure my hubby can..beers anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sillyjilly Posted September 20, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Carnival is the only cruise line that has a limit, maximum 15 alcoholic drinks, even if you just drink beer your limit will be 15 daily. Most of their glasses were cut smaller a few years ago, so if you compare what you get from a Royal Caribbean cruise who actually is unlimited, your glasses for "standard" drinks such as a rum and coke, jack and coke, etc, will be served in a larger glass, Carnival's glassware is smaller...but to answer your question, since I drink martini's yes I feel its worth it, I never got to 15 drinks but hate worrying when I be cut off lol. I read that Princess has recently started a 15 drink limit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellarose Posted September 20, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 20, 2017 so I can't use the beverage package for water/ soda/ speciality coffees?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrygirlcruiser1234 Posted September 20, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 20, 2017 The Cheers package includes all drinks available on the ship under $50.00 this includes coffee at the coffee bar, soda, juice, bottled water, energy drinks ect. only alcohol beverages count towards your 15 per day. you can ask for top shelf. My husbands favorite on this last cruise was cranberry orange juice and Grey Goose VX at $17.00 per drink. mine was orange juice pineapple juice malibu rum and a splash of grey goose VX at $13.00 per drink. some of them do come in a smaller glass but you can request a 16oz glass and they will over pour the shot. i found that none of my drinks were weak ever!!!!! we reached on average of 14 per day each. Thats starting with spiked coffee at the coffee bar and then a spiked frap again at the coffee bar and then regular drinks at lunch. spaced out it lasts longer than you think and its easy to make it worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdsgu Posted September 20, 2017 #14 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I've had the Cheers! package more than once, but November will be my first time to have it with the $50 limit. I want to know: what drink on the Dream costs anywhere close to $50? The 15-per-day limit has never been a problem for me; I think I reached it once and only because I was trying to do so. I recently had the Ultimate Beverage Package on NCL (which isn't all that ultimate because it does not include water or coffee). There was no limit on the number of alcoholic drinks I could purchase, but the dollar limit was $15. Premium bourbons and Scotches were priced at $16.95-$18.95, but in those cases, I only had to pay the difference. You have to check your receipt though -- some bartenders apparently didn't know how to charge them correctly and instead of charging just the difference, they charged the full price. My father-in-law had to dispute a few charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
300dtc Posted September 20, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted September 20, 2017 so I can't use the beverage package for water/ soda/ speciality coffees?? On Carnival yes they are included but on NCL no they are not...but on NCL you only pay the tax on the beverage plan, if you choose it as a "free" perk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierpop Posted September 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Keep in mind, the 15 only applies to alcohol. Sodas, coffee, shakes, Red Bulls, etc. The cost covers ALL drinks. Don't forget to figure those into your daily amount. This is great advice. If you drink those things, it can add up. For me, one key things is, how much will I get off the ship at ports? If I'm spending all day at 4 ports on a 7 day cruise, it might not be worth it. Also, Cheers let's you try out things you might not otherwise get. I'm not a cheers fan boy. I get it maybe 25% of the time. But have never regretted it. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BELSAD Posted September 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I've had the Cheers! package more than once, but November will be my first time to have it with the $50 limit. I want to know: what drink on the Dream costs anywhere close to $50?. I was on Dream last November. We would go to Steak House bar every night before dinner and enjoy a $49 glass of champagne... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wap0003 Posted September 20, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I thought it was worth it when I did it one the Triumph mainly because of the alchemy bar. Drinks were fantastic and were around $11. We liked trying different top shelf spirits and upgrading our mixed drinks to top shelf. I found that we were more adventurous with trying new drinks and not always concerned with which drink would get us the most drunk for the money. It was also nice getting specialty coffees, vitamin water, and energy drinks whenever we wanted. We're trying it again on our next cruise which does not have alchemy bar.... hopefully it's still worth it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLRM Posted September 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted September 20, 2017 This is spot on. "Also, Cheers let's you try out things you might not otherwise get." Try a different wine than usual. Don't like it? No big deal. Same with mixed drinks. I've never had a Moscow Mule or a Martini. We're getting the Cheers package and you can bet I'll be trying them. Personally, I'm a tequila fan. Unfortunately, we don't have Tequila bars here. You know I'll make up for that on the ship. Plus, again, shakes, coffees, sodas, Pelligrino at dinner, etc. This is great advice. If you drink those things, it can add up. For me, one key things is, how much will I get off the ship at ports? If I'm spending all day at 4 ports on a 7 day cruise, it might not be worth it. Also, Cheers let's you try out things you might not otherwise get. I'm not a cheers fan boy. I get it maybe 25% of the time. But have never regretted it. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdsgu Posted September 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted September 20, 2017 I was on Dream last November. We would go to Steak House bar every night before dinner and enjoy a $49 glass of champagne... Perfect! And that was per glass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted September 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Yes, the unlimited beverage package includes any drink under $15.00, si I usually drink grey goose, or absolute vodka. It does not include water or energy drinks or specialty coffees though, but there is not a limit to number of drinks...not that I ever could drink 15 drinks in one day, but I'm sure my hubby can..beers anyway! As a vodka drink, Grey Goose, Kettle, and Belvedere are top shelf vodkas, Absolut is a little better than a well vodka, actually kind of yuck unless it's masked with Bloody Mary mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricew001 Posted September 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 20, 2017 There are many threads on this topic. I just commented another one. To paraphrase - it is ALL Drinks - if you think in terms of only alcohol you're doing yourself a disservice. As another poster said, it ENHANCED my experience. I tried things I normally wouldn't since I didn't have to pay "extra". If a frozen drink melted down before I was finished, I ordered another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BELSAD Posted September 20, 2017 #23 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Perfect! And that was per glass? Yes, $49 per glass. But you could only get that at the bar in the Steak House. I am not much of a champagne drinker but it was really good. No way would I have tried it without Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted September 20, 2017 #24 Share Posted September 20, 2017 so what brand of champagne? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robo1098 Posted September 20, 2017 #25 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Yes, $49 per glass. But you could only get that at the bar in the Steak House. I am not much of a champagne drinker but it was really good. No way would I have tried it without Cheers! Yes. What brand of champagne was that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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