Cheers cost analysis

[coevan]

2 hours ago, joepeka said:

Maybe a little light on vodka or ginger beer (depending on your taste)?? 

 

 

you can ask for more of either, just saying, pretty easy drink to make, not even sure the copper helps, but it looks cool

[simplelife]

Plus soft dring=We've decided to get Cheers for the first time on our next cruise ( a 4 day Bahamas cruise with DS and BIL  - this is a "test cruise" for BIL who has never cruised before.) DH and I  have been to Nassau and Freeport enough to know we probably will not even get off the ship. I figured I  can easily drink 6 -8 drinks a day ( Bloody Mary for brunch, a couple of DOD's while relaxing in the  afternoon, A couple of glasses of wine with dinner,  a dessert coffee. and a couple of drinks in the piano bar or show) DH will do as much or more. Plus unlimited soft drinks.   So we figured Cheers will more than pay for itself, and we won't be doing excursions this time, so it's not really much of an additional cost

 

 

Edited December 9, 2018 by simplelife
to add an idea

[KyloRen]

6 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

How can you poorly make Ginger Beer and Vodka, like saying you had a poorly made Rum and Coke?

Right??!!

 

No mint

No lime.

 

Husband called it a cup of booze it was gross.  😕

[beerman2]

12 hours ago, KristiK said:

 

That does sound like heaven. It's now on my list to try 🙂

 

They shave chocolate on top!

[Maplemoose]

There is one major problem with using any of the calculators out there. The answer to the question "how much are you going to drink" is "a lot less, if I don't buy the package". 😁😁 Also, do you want to remain disciplined to a budget or is a stress free cruise worth a few hundred bucks? Only very light drinkers and very heavy drinkers have an easy decision. The rest of us would prefer a drinks perk to make the decision obvious.

[beerman2]

27 minutes ago, Maplemoose said:

There is one major problem with using any of the calculators out there. The answer to the question "how much are you going to drink" is "a lot less, if I don't buy the package". 😁😁 Also, do you want to remain disciplined to a budget or is a stress free cruise worth a few hundred bucks? Only very light drinkers and very heavy drinkers have an easy decision. The rest of us would prefer a drinks perk to make the decision obvious.

LOL , that's what NCL has perks, that include drinks and specialty Dining included for gratuity's.

 

[Maplemoose]

Yes, that's why I like NCL! I am trying Carnival because of the ship and the itinerary. Maybe I'm nuts! 

[Crazy4Camping]

1 hour ago, beerman2 said:

LOL , that's what NCL has perks, that include drinks and specialty Dining included for gratuity's.

 

Yes NCL sometimes includes drinks but my understanding is that it is much more expensive?

[Maplemoose]

Everyone seems to say that but I would like to see some evidence. Remember, to compare accurately you would have to find 2 equal ships eg. Horizon and Bliss, cruising the same itinerary at the same time of year for the same number of days. I am not saying it is not true but pretty hard to compare really. Then you would have to add in the value of the perks of course. 

[Bosrox]

4 hours ago, Crazy4Camping said:

Yes NCL sometimes includes drinks but my understanding is that it is much more expensive?

Our recent cruise on NCL was cheaper than our last year’s cruise on Carnival.  That said, I preferred the Carnival cruise. 

 

As for cheers, I don’t like to plan my vacations around booze and trying to make sure I get my money’s worth. I buy a drink when I want one. If I have to figure out a spreadsheet to determine the cheapest way to drink and worry about whether or not I can afford a booze tab at the end, I likely shouldn’t be taking the cruise to begin with. 

[crewsweeper]

Ran the estimator spreadsheet. Good tool.  Everyone with questions should use this.  And hopefully if can be open sourced down the road to add/remove drinks and individual drink costs. 

 

However, as DW doesn't drink alcohol a whole lot and even if I add the specialty coffee as 16oz each morning for both of us, give her a frappe in the afternoon, up an afternoon craft beer from 1 to 2 and add a nightcap single malt plus a drink or 2 at the Alchemy, we're still below the total cost of Cheers for 1.

 

 

[hockeyguru32]

On 12/7/2018 at 7:46 AM, Narcussist said:

Here is the spreadsheet you was talking about to try out. I have modified it a bit to include the 18% auto gratuity. All you would have to do is change cruise length. Most prices for the drinks are close to actual if not actual, so it will give you a great ball park of if it is worth it for you.

 

I hope this helps, and I do not take credit for creating this.

Carnival Beverage Package Evaluator.xls

Don't forget to add the 18% gratuity if you get it prior to boarding it's $51.95 per day plus 18% gratuity equals $61.30 per day total for 7 days is $429.11 per person to everyone  21 and over in the cabin

Edited December 10, 2018 by hockeyguru32

[beerman2]

8 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

Everyone seems to say that but I would like to see some evidence. Remember, to compare accurately you would have to find 2 equal ships eg. Horizon and Bliss, cruising the same itinerary at the same time of year for the same number of days. I am not saying it is not true but pretty hard to compare really. Then you would have to add in the value of the perks of course. 

That is the challenge finding 2 compatible ships/itineraries/dates. Being you used Horizon/Bliss as example those two definitely won't work as Horizon alternates between 6 and 8 days. Bliss is only 7.

 

It is fascinating and important to compare cruise lines. Some will say 200.00 difference to sail their favorite line isn't that " big of a deal".  Others think that is outrageous.

 

I'm not loyal to any cruise line, but right now we feel NCL is better. Our last cruise was Carnival Vista because it fit the exact timeframe /Itinerary ( Anniversary/Southern) .

Next up is NCL Bliss.

 

Happy sailing !

 

 

 

 

[bartleby112]

15 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

There is one major problem with using any of the calculators out there. The answer to the question "how much are you going to drink" is "a lot less, if I don't buy the package". 😁😁 Also, do you want to remain disciplined to a budget or is a stress free cruise worth a few hundred bucks? Only very light drinkers and very heavy drinkers have an easy decision. The rest of us would prefer a drinks perk to make the decision obvious.

Id say that if i didn't get the package i might spend 350 on beer or someting.  Cause I'd probably go cheap every time and not try new things.  but i feel like the package will encourage me to try that 15 dollar drink or go to the alchemy and try random new things.  If i don't like them i can just give it back and get another.  i won't go near the 15 a day, even doing that. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

On 12/8/2018 at 5:49 PM, coevan said:

 

 

How can you poorly make Ginger Beer and Vodka, like saying you had a poorly made Rum and Coke?

 

I'm not sure either, but the only drink I was really disappointed with on my recent cruise (just got back yesterday, ugh, reality) was a Moscow Mule ordered at the Serenity Bar.  It just didn't taste "right" - maybe the vodka was some sort of "well" vodka, or maybe the ginger beer was a brand/type I just don't like.  The Mules at the Alchemy bar were way better!

 

And oh yeah, we definitely came out ahead by using Cheers!  I think we had at least 11 or 12 drinks per day, even on port days.

 

I'm gonna try to give my liver a rest for a while...

[Crazy4Camping]

On 12/10/2018 at 12:53 AM, Bosrox said:

Our recent cruise on NCL was cheaper than our last year’s cruise on Carnival.  That said, I preferred the Carnival cruise. 

 

As for cheers, I don’t like to plan my vacations around booze and trying to make sure I get my money’s worth. I buy a drink when I want one. If I have to figure out a spreadsheet to determine the cheapest way to drink and worry about whether or not I can afford a booze tab at the end, I likely shouldn’t be taking the cruise to begin with. 

I agree.  I know that I relax more with a couple drinks in me but I've decided this trip needs to include a minimum of indulgence for health reasons anyway.  I got way too caught up in the expense when I should be concentrating on the experience!

[pacruise804]

On 12/8/2018 at 5:30 PM, Crazy4Camping said:

The port days thing.  Okay, we get back onboard at say 4:30 pm.  Go to our cabins and get ready for 6 pm seating at dinner.  Even if we have a drink at dinner, where are there 8 hours to drink?  I'm figuring I better be in bed by 10 if I'm going to get up early enough to work out, get breakfast and get kicked off the ship at 9 am for excursions.  Am I missing something or are you guys night owls that only need a few hours of sleep to get up and start drinking again?? LOL LOL  Oh-and several posters said if you don't take a nap you will never make it.  Maybe you guys nap?  But then that's less drinking time!! HEEHEE

I think rounding comes into play (8 hours sounds better than 7.25).  Many get back on board before final boarding (which is generally before 4:30) if they left the ship at all.  I could envision someone with Cheers that visited the port coming back by 2 and getting one drink when boarding (either on the way to the cabin to freshen up or with a late lunch), then another before dinner while getting ready, a pre-dinner cocktail while waiting for a MTD table, one with dinner (service is often too slow to get two), then 3-4 after dinner.  It's more than I would drink, but I could easily see being done by 11.

I also doubt those having Irish coffee, mimosas, etc with breakfast are working out and taking early excursions 😉 

 

On 12/8/2018 at 5:49 PM, coevan said:

 

 

How can you poorly make Ginger Beer and Vodka, like saying you had a poorly made Rum and Coke?

There are definitely good and bad ginger beers.  That is likely the cause, although bad vodka could affect it too.  Our dark and stormy on the Pride was awful, but the one at Jack's Shack (Grand Turk) was good if strong - and they definitely didn't use top shelf rum 😄 

 

On 12/9/2018 at 6:04 PM, Maplemoose said:

There is one major problem with using any of the calculators out there. The answer to the question "how much are you going to drink" is "a lot less, if I don't buy the package". 😁😁 Also, do you want to remain disciplined to a budget or is a stress free cruise worth a few hundred bucks? Only very light drinkers and very heavy drinkers have an easy decision. The rest of us would prefer a drinks perk to make the decision obvious.

I agree to a point about the calculators.  Most people probably do drink less without a package, but we have no issues drinking what we want without Cheers.  We budget a lot more than we would likely drink so there isn't any stress about sticking to a budget.  We've done NCL before with the package and found we drank more than we really wanted just to feel we were getting the most from it.

Very light and very heavy drinkers do have an easy decision, but moderate drinkers don't all want a perks package.

 

 

On 12/10/2018 at 9:39 AM, bartleby112 said:

Id say that if i didn't get the package i might spend 350 on beer or someting.  Cause I'd probably go cheap every time and not try new things.  but i feel like the package will encourage me to try that 15 dollar drink or go to the alchemy and try random new things.  If i don't like them i can just give it back and get another.  i won't go near the 15 a day, even doing that. 

2 drinks with breakfast, 2 beers with lunch, 3 drinks you try and don't like, 3 drinks to replace the drinks you didn't like, 2 beers with dinner, a night cap for yourself (plus the one you said you'd steal for your wife). 14 drinks is getting pretty near the 15 break even.

[Joebucks]

1 hour ago, pacruise804 said:

I think rounding comes into play (8 hours sounds better than 7.25).  Many get back on board before final boarding (which is generally before 4:30) if they left the ship at all.  I could envision someone with Cheers that visited the port coming back by 2 and getting one drink when boarding (either on the way to the cabin to freshen up or with a late lunch), then another before dinner while getting ready, a pre-dinner cocktail while waiting for a MTD table, one with dinner (service is often too slow to get two), then 3-4 after dinner.  It's more than I would drink, but I could easily see being done by 11.

I also doubt those having Irish coffee, mimosas, etc with breakfast are working out and taking early excursions 😉 

 

The problem for me is I want drinks the most during the day when relaxing by the pool/beach. I wouldn't say that is uncommon for many. So what do I do when off the boat? I either buy more drinks on land, don't drink, or I start designing my vacation around Cheers. These Cheers "schedules" never account for that. They are more for here is how you drink your money's worth. By the time I come back, I usually need to rehydrate/rest and drinks really aren't at the top of my to-do list. This is why I believe there is a night and day difference between port and sea days with Cheers. That scenario seems like a stretch where people are getting 4 drinks by the time they get back on and dinner. Especially as a daily thing.

[pacruise804]

7 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

The problem for me is I want drinks the most during the day when relaxing by the pool/beach. I wouldn't say that is uncommon for many. So what do I do when off the boat? I either buy more drinks on land, don't drink, or I start designing my vacation around Cheers. These Cheers "schedules" never account for that. They are more for here is how you drink your money's worth. By the time I come back, I usually need to rehydrate/rest and drinks really aren't at the top of my to-do list. This is why I believe there is a night and day difference between port and sea days with Cheers. That scenario seems like a stretch where people are getting 4 drinks by the time they get back on and dinner. Especially as a daily thing.

 

My example was based on what I have seen others post in their reviews, not my drinking habits.  We don't drink enough to justify Cheers (might have one day that would break even, never 7).  We usually don't drink much off the boat unless it is an activity that already includes some drinks.  We do take extra water with us, so we usually don't get dehydrated.  Sometimes we would want to explore local eats/drinks, so that would be part of our budget and Cheers wouldn't have an impact on it either way.

 

We all have different drinking habits, and Cheers wouldn't work for me - and I think you've said it doesn't work for you either.  I can see how it works for some people though.

[crewsweeper]

2 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

I think rounding comes into play (8 hours sounds better than 7.25).  Many get back on board before final boarding (which is generally before 4:30) if they left the ship at all.  I could envision someone with Cheers that visited the port coming back by 2 and getting one drink when boarding (either on the way to the cabin to freshen up or with a late lunch), then another before dinner while getting ready, a pre-dinner cocktail while waiting for a MTD table, one with dinner (service is often too slow to get two), then 3-4 after dinner.  It's more than I would drink, but I could easily see being done by 11.

I also doubt those having Irish coffee, mimosas, etc with breakfast are working out and taking early excursions 😉 

 

There are definitely good and bad ginger beers.  That is likely the cause, although bad vodka could affect it too.  Our dark and stormy on the Pride was awful, but the one at Jack's Shack (Grand Turk) was good if strong - and they definitely didn't use top shelf rum 😄 

 

I agree to a point about the calculators.  Most people probably do drink less without a package, but we have no issues drinking what we want without Cheers.  We budget a lot more than we would likely drink so there isn't any stress about sticking to a budget.  We've done NCL before with the package and found we drank more than we really wanted just to feel we were getting the most from it.

Very light and very heavy drinkers do have an easy decision, but moderate drinkers don't all want a perks package.

 

 

2 drinks with breakfast, 2 beers with lunch, 3 drinks you try and don't like, 3 drinks to replace the drinks you didn't like, 2 beers with dinner, a night cap for yourself (plus the one you said you'd steal for your wife). 14 drinks is getting pretty near the 15 break even.

It's not 15 drinks break even.  It's a 15 drinks per day per person Limit.  No 16th drink. Nada. Zip. 

   Breakeven is around 6-8 drinks per person if you only look at alcohol.  5-8 with specialty coffee, soda, non-alcoholic drinks included .

 

[pacruise804]

41 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

It's not 15 drinks break even.  It's a 15 drinks per day per person Limit.  No 16th drink. Nada. Zip. 

   Breakeven is around 6-8 drinks per person if you only look at alcohol.  5-8 with specialty coffee, soda, non-alcoholic drinks included .

 

Oops Meant to put 15 drink cut off, not break even.  The poster I was replying to stated they wouldn't get close to the 15, and I was showing how it might be easier to do than he thought.

[simplelife]

Non alcoholic drin

19 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

Oops Meant to put 15 drink cut off, not break even.  The poster I was replying to stated they wouldn't get close to the 15, and I was showing how it might be easier to do than he thought.

Non alcoholic drinks, though free with the program, do not count towards your 15 drink limit,

[crewsweeper]

19 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

Oops Meant to put 15 drink cut off, not break even.  The poster I was replying to stated they wouldn't get close to the 15, and I was showing how it might be easier to do than he thought.

That's what I thought you meant, but others might assume differently.

However, if cruisers have 8 drinks from lunch to before dinner, not sure if many would be eating or missing dinner by "napping".

And 15 drinks in a day is a LOT of alcohol for the body to process. 

 

So, I'm not dissing those who can drink 90-120 alcoholic drinks in 6-8 days and still "enjoy" a cruise.  But for many even a one more than breakeven of 30-50 drinks on a cruise is too much.

[pacruise804]

I doubt there are many who actually hit the 15 alcoholic drink limit, and even less who hit it each day.  Of those, likely less than 15 are consumed by the individual (either didn't like/finish the drink or abused the program by sharing drinks).  I've seen others list it as a positive that they don't have to finish a warm beer or watered down drink (I don't drink that slowly myself for it to be an issue), so even if someone orders 15 for personal consumption they may not consume that much.

 

Drink strength matters too.  While a glass of wine/shot of liquor/can of beer are all to have the same amount of alcohol, I think the mixed drinks vary.  I'm a light to moderate drinker and could easily have 2 mimosas with a Sea Day Brunch and not feel much, but 2 Long Island iced teas or strong martinis in the afternoon without food would hit me more.  When we sailed NCL I drank more than other cruises but never really felt anything because it was all day slower drinking vs. now where my mornings and afternoons are so full I don't usually drink until late afternoon.  

 

We all have different drinking preferences and metabolisms - we also cruise for different reasons.  I don't use the casino or pool and we are on the go quite a bit during the day, so we don't start drinking until after dinner most days (some sea days we will crack open a bottle of wine for the balcony after lunch).  If I was just sitting/lounging all day I could see myself drinking more.

[Razorbakfan]

Is it a 15 drink per person limit, or 15 per couple per day?