Unlimited Drink Options Included with other lines: will you still book Carnival?

[SNJCruisers]

You are right, I don't get that perk on MSC but many others I don't get on Carnival. I guess I was once a Carnival cheerleader thinking I didn't want to cruise any other line but have now found out how foolish that way of thinking was. I have 4 cruises booked right now, 2 on Carnival, 1 on NCL, 1 on MSC. I am looking forward to everyone of them!!

Pat

Smart thinking Pat....put the pom poms away unlike others on this board and make a comparison on a cruise vs cruise basis and then decide what is best for you. Happy sailing.

[Linsuesue]

As I understand it once you've left the taxing jurisdiction's waters you stop paying tax, so once you are in "federal" waters you shouldn't have to pay tax. The distance is going to vary by port (for instance on Pride we paid tax until we were out of the Chesapeake Bay). Some jurisdictions prohibit the sale of packages which is why Cheers doesn't start until the next day (probably because it's easier for accounting purposeis).

Thanks Sparks for explaining that! It just adds one more layer of confusion to help decide which drink program to get or avoid. :confused:

[mom2tcdx2]

They do. It’s just regular state liquor tax. All cruise lines have to collect while in the states waters.

 

Not true, we sailed on MSC with their free drink package, we paid no taxes while in the port of Miami and this ship doesn't leave port until later that evening. We boarded before noon and didn't pay any taxes for that day. (This was just this past May).

[jimbo5544]

Thanks Sparks for explaining that! It just adds one more layer of confusion to help decide which drink program to get or avoid. :confused:

 

 

 

Any taxing on drinks when inside state waters takes place whether you have a program or buy individually. Since most programs (in these instances where the apply) cannot be purchased until you LEAVE these waters, it makes the point moot (unless you drink a significantly higher amount in the 1st 24 hours). Make your decision on whether you drink enough (break even between 7 and 8 a day without adding in water, soft drinks, specialty coffee and milkshakes).

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

None of the lines do. Carnival wants the blue cards so that they can get those who spend money on board and try to get them acclimated to the cruising lifestyle and hopefully retain them as future customers.

 

MSC is doing the same thing with their loyalty match program and did it with rock bottom pricing when bookings first opened up 2 1/2 years ago for the Seaside. It was a slap in the face of their past cruisers when newbies were given black status without having ever sailed on MSC before. It was similar to when Carnival came out with FTTF a few years ago, which was a slap in the face towards Diamonds and Platinums. Both lines want to recruit new cruisers and whatever small percentage remain loyal to that line increases the monies in the coffers for that respective cruise line.

 

 

 

I would love to see the retention numbers for all cruise lines, but my guess would be that it is not small but fairly large. Once they have you, and you are satisfied, they have you (special deals aside). The vocal posters here (no disparagement intended) are an anomaly from my perspective.

 

 

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[ray98]

You can't take one moment in time and make a blanket assumption.

 

I have made this comparison between Carnival and NCL at least 6 times over the past 4 years using similar ships, dates, itineraries and including the drink package on each. NCL won 2 times, Carnival 2 times and 2 were basically a tie where NCL edged it out because it included a specialty dining package. That is how we booked....4-2

[sparks1093]

Not true, we sailed on MSC with their free drink package, we paid no taxes while in the port of Miami and this ship doesn't leave port until later that evening. We boarded before noon and didn't pay any taxes for that day. (This was just this past May).

 

I don't recall paying tax in Miami for our drinks. I'll have to try to find the invoices.

[BlerkOne]

None of the lines do. Carnival wants the blue cards so that they can get those who spend money on board and try to get them acclimated to the cruising lifestyle and hopefully retain them as future customers.

 

 

Carnival wants cruisers who cruise for the brand and not fall for marketing gimmicks known as perks. There might be a correlation to novice cruisers vs entitled old salts.

[Tatka]

We are old salts, but some not so free perks are really useful.

 

As for the gimmicks... every line has own.

I’m still thinking about “Fun ship” one. :)

[BlerkOne]

We are old salts, but some not so free perks are really useful.

 

As for the gimmicks... every line has own.

I’m still thinking about “Fun ship” one. :)

 

Fun Ships are no myth.

 

 

Some perks would be cheaper if paid for out of pocket on other cruise lines. Some people just sit on the ship and drink and never take shore excursions. It's really up to you and what floats your boat.

 

But rather absurd to imply something is wrong with Carnival loyalists. The better question is what is wrong with the people who think that?

[jimbo5544]

We are old salts, but some not so free perks are really useful.

 

As for the gimmicks... every line has own.

I’m still thinking about “Fun ship” one. :)

 

 

 

Someone who says that Carnival ships are not the FUN ships just does not get it. Perks are perks, they do not replace what Carnival cruising is all about.

 

 

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[Tatka]

No. I didn’t get Fun of Carnival.

Even entertainment was lacking in many areas at least on our cruises.

 

Anyway we can count pretty well. We cruise a lot lately (5 full cruises a year). $250 unlimited drink package for two on our next 7 day NCL cruise doesn’t look a bit like a gimmick. We knew that we would have to pay taxes. Still pretty good value to us. This amount is collected before the cruise.

[BlerkOne]

No. I didn’t get Fun of Carnival.

Even entertainment was lacking in many areas at least on our cruises.

 

Anyway we can count pretty well. We cruise a lot lately (5 full cruises a year). $250 unlimited drink package for two on our next 7 day NCL cruise doesn’t look a bit like a gimmick. We knew that we would have to pay taxes. Still pretty good value to us. This amount is collected before the cruise.

 

Not fun? Well, you're hanging out in the fun people forum. :D

[Tatka]

Not fun? Well, you're hanging out in the fun people forum. :D

 

 

Nah... I don’t hanging out specifically on Carnival boards.

It’s tapatalk app. It shows most recent topics of each forum, in this case Cruise Critic.

 

Anyway, how are Fun Ships are more fun than others? But new cruisers might think they are. :)

[BlerkOne]

Fun people know. If you have to ask...

[JinxyB]

We cruise a lot- usually 4-5x/year. My 7 y/o will be platinum next month, but after this sailing on the Vista, we have no other Carnival cruises booked. The WOW factor just isn’t there anymore for us. Platinum benefits really mean nothing as I don’t use their laundry (ruined clothes on 2 separate occasions), and our last Carnival cruise my room steward argued with me about dropping my bags off early and had attitude when I challenged him on this. So there really are no benefits besides the past guest party that I actually use. I have no desire to strictly sail Carnival to get to Diamond, because those benefits are paltry compared to other cruise line loyalty programs.

 

On the other hand, we are a few cruises away from both Platinum on NCL and diamond on Royal and those are actually benefits I would use. We sailed Harmony and Escape this year and thourougly enjoyed those ships- activities and entertainment cannot compete with anything Carnival has to offer. The free drinks package is great on NCL- I’m not a big drinker but like to have a few drinks by the pool while on vacation and have a martini with dinner. I calculated the gratuity on the package vs how many drinks I consumed and I was waaaaaay ahead of the game! So yes, NCL (and Royal) will be getting my vacation dollars in the future!

[SNJCruisers]

I would love to see the retention numbers for all cruise lines, but my guess would be that it is not small but fairly large. Once they have you, and you are satisfied, they have you (special deals aside). The vocal posters here (no disparagement intended) are an anomaly from my perspective.

It's very difficult to gauge since not all posters have their cruise history in their signature and the actual percentage of cruisers that even know about Cruise Critic is not that substantial as you know.

There is a small percentage of very vocal and loyal cruisers on the Carnival, Royal and NCL boards that have blinders on, support their line of choice and at times put down the competition. But since Carnival has been going after the blues for awhile and as I mentioned in my earlier post about the matching strategy that MSC is using to lure away experienced cruisers, it seems that each line has a different strategy to lure new customers.

But I will say that regarding those posters that do have their cruise history posted in their signature, there is a higher percentage that have various lines listed instead of a predominant line for 80% or so of their previous cruises

[SNJCruisers]

Absolutely will continue booking with Carnival. For NCL (I have no knowledge of MSC) the "free" drink package isn't free (costs about $125 in tips on an inflated drink package price). Secondly, I rarely drink so even the tip cost is more than I would spend on drinks while on board. NCL and MSC's drink packages hold no value for me.

Congratulations.....you're a teetotaler. Why are you posting on a thread about unlimited drink perks on other cruise lines?

[h0mbr3]

FWIW - My wife and are drinkers and we are not big fans of the 15 drink limit. I know. What! 15 isn't enough in a day?? Well yes and no.

 

Number one issue, is having to keep count and planning the difference on sea and port days. As I have said before, from my experience 15 drinks (not beer) is 15 ounces of booze. I watched and if anything, they might short you. Most people when you go out, or especially make your own drinks at home, pour more than one ounce per drink.

 

But, if you are not big drinkers and are just looking to know your all-inclusive experience is covered and there will be no surprised at the end, go for it.

 

We're giving Celebrity a try in January.

 

You'll love Celebrity......we always get the classic package as a perk and then upgrade to the premium package.....love not having to sign a receipt or keeping track of how many drinks I have!

[tallnthensome]

Anyway, how are Fun Ships are more fun than others? But new cruisers might think they are. :)

They aren't more fun. Too many people have only sailed Carnival and somehow "know" they are the best. Bad loyalty program. Worst buffet and dining room food, entertainment lacking, never any real perks, and worst low life passengers and behavior. If you've sailed other lines including Princess, Holland, MSC, etc all of this is pretty apparent. There's nothing Carnival does better than others then possibly get you the lowest price on a cruise ..... but at a cost on quality at the back end. Some people think the pinnacle of cruising is sailing the Carnival Liberty four times. There is better everything including overall deals for what you get on other lines many times. All this being said, I will still sail Carnival as I booked another one about three weeks ago. but the truth is the truth. Gotta say that the Carnival loyalists are a unique breed.

[CdrescherRBL152]

Where does it say you have to pay for something you don't want? Are you confused? Have you sailed any other line besides Carnival? You are not forced to pay for a "free" drink package nor choose to have it. You are misinformed.

Although you don't have to take the drink package. NCL has started book with us and you get your choice of free stuff. Which is not free, as they have already put the cost of the free stuff in the price of the cruise. I for one say keep your "free" stuff lower the price of the cruise and let me pay for what I want.

[tallnthensome]

Although you don't have to take the drink package. NCL has started book with us and you get your choice of free stuff. Which is not free, as they have already put the cost of the free stuff in the price of the cruise. I for one say keep your "free" stuff lower the price of the cruise and let me pay for what I want.

Carnival has Guys Burgers on their ship. It's free! What if I don't like burgers? Guys Burgers is added to the price of your cruise. Why not let me pay less for my cruise and let me choose if I want to pay for burger once? This is no different then your belief that NCL jacks up the cruise price because they offer you free WiFi as a perk. Nobody knows how the lines price their cruise and what they charge you to cover what.

[sparks1093]

Carnival has Guys Burgers on their ship. It's free! What if I don't like burgers? Guys Burgers is added to the price of your cruise. Why not let me pay less for my cruise and let me choose if I want to pay for burger once? This is no different then your belief that NCL jacks up the cruise price because they offer you free WiFi as a perk. Nobody knows how the lines price their cruise and what they charge you to cover what.

 

You are right, we don't know how they price their cruises but a business cannot stay in business giving away expensive free stuff continuously. It just can't happen. The cost of the free stuff has to be recouped from somewhere and that somewhere is usually in the fare. Yes, there are some sailings where they have to cut the cruise fare in order to fill the ships, but all cruise lines have to do that. I remember watching a documentary that took place on an NCL ship (Cruise, Inc.) and in that show they said that in order for a particular sailing to turn a profit the ship had to sail at 110% capacity and they had to have something like $8 pp/pd in bar sales. So under their old model bar sales determined whether or not they made a profit. Now they are giving the stuff away and they are making a profit? Nope, sorry, not buying it. If you get a great price because you are booking a longer cruise or whatever than good for you. That doesn't mean that NCL isn't recouping it's cost (plus more) on a typical sailing.

[beerman2]

Although you don't have to take the drink package. NCL has started book with us and you get your choice of free stuff. Which is not free, as they have already put the cost of the free stuff in the price of the cruise. I for one say keep your "free" stuff lower the price of the cruise and let me pay for what I want.

But they do , it's their Sail Away rate, no extra fees, no choice of location ( similar to Carnival Guarantee).

 

You get the cruise and that's it. It's the price shown on NCL grid.

[beerman2]

You are right, we don't know how they price their cruises but a business cannot stay in business giving away expensive free stuff continuously. It just can't happen. The cost of the free stuff has to be recouped from somewhere and that somewhere is usually in the fare. Yes, there are some sailings where they have to cut the cruise fare in order to fill the ships, but all cruise lines have to do that. I remember watching a documentary that took place on an NCL ship (Cruise, Inc.) and in that show they said that in order for a particular sailing to turn a profit the ship had to sail at 110% capacity and they had to have something like $8 pp/pd in bar sales. So under their old model bar sales determined whether or not they made a profit. Now they are giving the stuff away and they are making a profit? Nope, sorry, not buying it. If you get a great price because you are booking a longer cruise or whatever than good for you. That doesn't mean that NCL isn't recouping it's cost (plus more) on a typical sailing.

 

Yep drinks and Casino are where they make money. And I'd be willing to bet , Casino is the biggest money maker.