New drink policy?

[Playhouse05]

We just returned from a B2B on the Magic, and experienced what we were told is a new drink policy. In the afternoon, my husband and I like to sit on our balcony with a drink. We had cheers and we usually take turns running down to the Blue Iguana bar, getting drinks for both of us. The second day, the bartender asks where I am? My husband tells them I’m on the balcony. He was told I had to be there to get a drink. Ok then. So he tried the Red Frog and they gave him both our drinks. From then on, we would go to any other bar and they would give us each a drink on our cards with only one of us present. Our friends even tried the Blue Iguana later in the week and the next week and were told both people had to be there. I asked a bar waiter about it and they said it’s a new policy. Anyone else experience this?

 

 

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[LongHill44]

A new policy for just one bar? No way. Maybe a new bartender or one afraid to lose their jobs.

[ParrotRob]

That's not a new policy, that's ALWAYS been the policy. If you have bartenders that are serving one person two at a time, they are the ones not following policy. Like anything else, you might get away with it, you might not.

 

Sounds like your Blue Iguana bartender likes to actually follow the rules.

[ray98]

Always been that way. Every cruise I have been on they wanted each person there in the beginning. Over time when the bartenders were more accustomed to you they begin to let it slide.

[sparks1093]

That's not a new policy, that's ALWAYS been the policy. If you have bartenders that are serving one person two at a time, they are the ones not following policy. Like anything else, you might get away with it, you might not.

 

Sounds like your Blue Iguana bartender likes to actually follow the rules.

 

This has always been my understanding.

[salty dingo]

It makes sense that the person has to actually be there, not simply the S&S card. The card has a picture on it for a reason. Otherwise, someone could pass their card around and share it with others, which is what Carnival is trying to prevent.

 

I see the convenience, and perhaps if the last names were the same on both cards, that would mitigate the risk, but policies are not usually well thought out - they are just simple so employees do not have to think too hard.

[RHilla619]

Not a new policy, that has always been the policy. It is just loosely enforced, and varies by the bartender. The policy is to prevent people from sharing Cheers by passing around their card, and to prevent someone from finding a S&S card on the floor and ringing up a bar tab on that card.

[Lottacruises]

Not new.

[Thebosn1]

VERY seldom enforced. I think maybe one in over 13 years have I been asked where the other person is.

[coevan]

WOW, never heard this, 14 days on the Conquest always got drinks for me and my wife. I was never asked where she was, or anything.

[Micahs Grandad]

I would think that if you go to the same bar all the time with same bartender, after they got to know you they would let you get drinks for both people

[coevan]

all the bars, never a question

[RWolver672]

VERY seldom enforced. I think maybe one in over 13 years have I been asked where the other person is.

 

Cheers hasn't been around for thirteen years.

[cheermomof2girls]

We only ran into this once at the casino. I pointed to my husband who was at the table playing. We both had cheers, and I was trying to get us both a drink. They wouldn't give me his. I was kind of irritated, but not really with her, more with the lack of waiters coming to the tables. I wouldn't be trying to get a drink for him if they had waiters serving. But I purchased his order on my card (asked if I could do that, she said yes), walked over, handed it to him, and they didn't care. Then went back and ordered me one on my card. They had no problem with that, which was technically against the rules. It was weird, but really not sharing since we both had Cheers and never hit 15.

[grandmarnnurse]

We only ran into this once at the casino. I pointed to my husband who was at the table playing. We both had cheers, and I was trying to get us both a drink. They wouldn't give me his. I was kind of irritated, but not really with her, more with the lack of waiters coming to the tables. I wouldn't be trying to get a drink for him if they had waiters serving. But I purchased his order on my card (asked if I could do that, she said yes), walked over, handed it to him, and they didn't care. Then went back and ordered me one on my card. They had no problem with that, which was technically against the rules. It was weird, but really not sharing since we both had Cheers and never hit 15.

You mention no waiters coming to tables in Casino for drink orders. On my last 2 cruises on NCL, where almost everyone had the drink package because it was a free perk when booking, there was absolutely NO waiter service anywhere on ship! I was quite surprised because we always encountered roaming waiters on our Carnival and RCCL Cruises. We thought it was because of the drink package, they figured why push it. Let me add that there were long lines at bars with a roped area to stand in line out by the pools. Once I went right up to the bar and was asked to go get in the (long) line!

[bar1068]

VERY seldom enforced. I think maybe one in over 13 years have I been asked where the other person is.

 

Didn't think Cheers has been around 13 years...time sure does fly.!!

[Alaskan Joe]

That's not a new policy, that's ALWAYS been the policy. If you have bartenders that are serving one person two at a time, they are the ones not following policy. Like anything else, you might get away with it, you might not.

 

Sounds like your Blue Iguana bartender likes to actually follow the rules.

 

Sounds like your Blue Iguana bartender doesn't like tips. Really, in all seriousness if you have both SS cards what is the big deal they are still making their money.

[ParrotRob]

We only ran into this once at the casino. I pointed to my husband who was at the table playing. We both had cheers, and I was trying to get us both a drink. They wouldn't give me his. I was kind of irritated, but not really with her, more with the lack of waiters coming to the tables. I wouldn't be trying to get a drink for him if they had waiters serving. But I purchased his order on my card (asked if I could do that, she said yes), walked over, handed it to him, and they didn't care. Then went back and ordered me one on my card. They had no problem with that, which was technically against the rules. It was weird, but really not sharing since we both had Cheers and never hit 15.

 

That's not "technically against the rules", in fact it specifically allows you to purchase drinks for friends.

[cheermomof2girls]

That's not "technically against the rules", in fact it specifically allows you to purchase drinks for friends.

 

Purchased was probably not the right word, I used my cheers to obtain his drink, and the bartender was fine with it. I even said, can you just ring his drink up on my cheers then and I'll wait on mine?

[BlerkOne]

Sounds like your Blue Iguana bartender doesn't like tips. Really, in all seriousness if you have both SS cards what is the big deal they are still making their money.

 

Seems like one of the easier ways to cheat - so no, they aren't necessarily making their money. Makes it easier to share with other people.

[Anung Un Rama]

I do this every so often, usually when the wife is getting ready for dinner and have never had an issue.

 

We usually make friends with bartenders rather quick. Our last cruise the Alchemy bartenders had our folio numbers memorized the first night. If you're friendly early on (and extra tips never hurt), you'd be surprised how good the staff will treat you. Our #1 cruise tip, take care of your bartenders and they will take care of you.

[Ralphinsc]

Our mileage on this was if the bartenders knew us by seeing us both ring up (and drink from) drinks they made us, that there were no questions asked later if one ordered for both. I did get asked where my wife was, and a simple wave from the pool got them to go ahead and make her drink.

 

Mileage varies, of course. Being a repeat customer to a particular location and adding gratuity helps.

[ricew001]

That's not "technically against the rules", in fact it specifically allows you to purchase drinks for friends.

 

From Carnival at: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106/~/cheers%21-beverage-program

• Guests may purchase a round of drinks for themselves and friends. One drink will count towards the CHEERS! program and the remaining drinks will be charged to the guest's Sail and Sign account.
  

[Bookster99]

I don't drink enough to get benefit from the drink card. I can get drinks for my wife and I whenever I want. Having said that, she's usually with me when I order, so this wouldn't have been an issue. I can see why that would feel inconvenient if you were enjoying a quiet moment somewhere comfortable....

[LongHill44]

From Carnival at: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106/~/cheers%21-beverage-program

• Guests may purchase a round of drinks for themselves and friends. One drink will count towards the CHEERS! program and the remaining drinks will be charged to the guest's Sail and Sign account.
  

 

 

A round one would assume is more than 2 people, regardless, if the spouse has both S & S cards with the same last name, I mean, really?