Top Shelf Liquor CHEERS

[CruiseCandy11]

My husband and I love getting the Cheers program! What are some of the best liquors to get in our drinks? Preferably vodka but will take other suggestions. We love Tito’s and was wondering if there’s anything better out there. This is our one time to splurge on our alcohol so let’s hear it!🍸🍹

[coevan]

We were very disappointed when they stopped selling Kettle One, our favorite. We drank Belvedere and it was quite good. They also carry Gray Goose, but we do not care for the aftertaste. We tried the Gray Goose VX in the Steakhiuse and NBD, preferred Belvedere. 

[jimbo5544]

51 minutes ago, coevan said:

We were very disappointed when they stopped selling Kettle One, our favorite. We drank Belvedere and it was quite good. They also carry Gray Goose, but we do not care for the aftertaste. We tried the Gray Goose VX in the Steakhiuse and NBD, preferred Belvedere. 

WHile it does not happen often, on this point we do agre....

[emoorehead]

I like Gray Goose. I have never had Kettle One or Belvedere, so I am unable to weigh in on those.

If you are going to do tequila then Patron is the way to go IMO.

Whatever you get, enjoy your cruise!

[schazzy]

I thought the Grey Goose L'Orange was pretty good. But then again I was drinking it with cranberry, so that may have covered up any aftertaste. 

 

The good thing about Cheers is you don't have to worry about what each drink is costing you, so you feel more free to experiment with those more expensive brands and see what you like and don't like. Enjoy your cruise and your booze!

[Lottacruises]

Try them all, that's the point right?

[hotsauce126]

Not that I'm sure it matters, but Carnival did drop the Cheers from any drink under $50 to any under $20

[LBumb]

Not a vodka guy except bloodys 

prefer scotch glenlivet

[MississippiMom]

I hate Tito’s.  It gives me a headache.  When I was drinking vodka drinks on  the ship, I always requested Grey Goose or Belvedere.

 

One if the previous posters had it right . . . Try them ALL.

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

Not that I'm sure it matters, but Carnival did drop the Cheers from any drink under $50 to any under $20

Did not matter.....there were zero drinks that were in the 20-50 range.  Grey Goose VX at the Alchemy Bar mixed with other ingredients was charged @ 20.00, if it was on the rocks it was @ 17.00.  

[SNJCruisers]

6 hours ago, CruiseCandy11 said:

My husband and I love getting the Cheers program! What are some of the best liquors to get in our drinks? Preferably vodka but will take other suggestions. We love Tito’s and was wondering if there’s anything better out there. This is our one time to splurge on our alcohol so let’s hear it!🍸🍹

As has already been mentioned, the most expensive vodka they carry is Grey Goose VX, which has a very slight amount of cognac in it. As I mentioned in my previous post, depending upon how i ordered it, I was charged either 17 or 20.  

If you like tequila, the most expensive is Roca Patron @ 16.50, but I prefer Don Julio Anejo, really nice with one ice cube.  In general, the best bang for your buck is the Alchemy Bar.

[hotsauce126]

4 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Did not matter.....there were zero drinks that were in the 20-50 range.  Grey Goose VX at the Alchemy Bar mixed with other ingredients was charged @ 20.00, if it was on the rocks it was @ 17.00.  

 

So substituting Grey Goose VX and Roca Patron for the default liquors don't send any cocktails over $20? Not doubting you just want to make sure before my next cruise

[Retired_to_Cruise]

10 hours ago, emoorehead said:

I like Gray Goose. I have never had Kettle One or Belvedere, so I am unable to weigh in on those.

If you are going to do tequila then Patron is the way to go IMO.

Whatever you get, enjoy your cruise!

With drinking any Tequila make sure you order Reposado, Anejo, or Extra Anejo types of your chosen brand.. These are the oak aged varieties and are much better.

[Joebucks]

10 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

Not that I'm sure it matters, but Carnival did drop the Cheers from any drink under $50 to any under $20

 

They did. It was largely a marketing perception that gave the customer no real value. That would indicate that they actually have plans to introduce more expensive drinks.

[mdsgu]

Vodka -- Tito's, Absolut, Belvedere, Grey Goose (in a few iterations), and I think they had Three Olives.  Go with Belvedere or Grey Goose for the best bang for your buck.

[jimbo5544]

10 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

Try them all, that's the point right?

Is it?  Is the point to get the absolute most out of a program or rather to drink responsibly and enjoy your cruise without having to worry about individual costs of drinks?

Edited April 3, 2019 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

19 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

They did. It was largely a marketing perception that gave the customer no real value. That would indicate that they actually have plans to introduce more expensive drinks.

I have seen no evidence that they have any plans of introducing more expensive drinks.....

[mdsgu]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Is it?  Is the point to get the absolute most out of a program or rather to drink responsibly and enjoy your cruise without having to worry about individual costs of drinks?

I can see both points.  I like to enjoy my cruise and not worry about the bill I'm racking up.  But, twice on my last cruise, I hit the 15-drink limit (sea days) and I kinda felt victorious.  Not sure what I won, though.  (For the record, I wasn't totally polluted and I woke up the next day without a headache!)

[mdsgu]

4 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

I have seen no evidence that they have any plans of introducing more expensive drinks.....

I'm a bit cynical.  Yes, the $50 limit was a marketing ploy.  But they could now introduce $25 and $30 "specialty" drinks at, say, Alchemy and the steakhouse bar.  You could buy them with Cheers, "only" paying the price difference (plus gratuity) on each.  NCL already does this -- and their drinks are all grossly over-priced.  In, fact, NCL's infuriatingly-priced all-inclusive drink package is $99pp/pd (but most people get it "free" as a promo) and only includes drinks up to $15.  Now, they have an even better package -- everything included -- for $128pp/pd plus gratuity.

 

If you're reading this, Carnival, don't follow in NCL's footsteps!

[jimbo5544]

31 minutes ago, mdsgu said:

I'm a bit cynical.  Yes, the $50 limit was a marketing ploy.  But they could now introduce $25 and $30 "specialty" drinks at, say, Alchemy and the steakhouse bar.  You could buy them with Cheers, "only" paying the price difference (plus gratuity) on each.  NCL already does this -- and their drinks are all grossly over-priced.  In, fact, NCL's infuriatingly-priced all-inclusive drink package is $99pp/pd (but most people get it "free" as a promo) and only includes drinks up to $15.  Now, they have an even better package -- everything included -- for $128pp/pd plus gratuity.

 

If you're reading this, Carnival, don't follow in NCL's footsteps!

NCL the absolute (pun intended) king of nickel and diming (although from a monetary perspective they have moved to the big leagues...)  It is possible that Alchemy drinks could get outside that level, have not seen it but is it possible yes.  The Alchemy experience is as much as about the process as it is about wha is in the glass tho.... One of the things I enjoy is passing there at different points during open hours toes the same people sitting at the bar....

Edited April 3, 2019 by jimbo5544

[lottiegreen56]

There was a liquor in the magic last year that cost $28 per shot. I only remember this because a guy who used to always bum my lighter in the casino - nice guy his wife always had his though lol - told me that he was only drinking the stuff to get his money’s worth because his wife made him buy cheers! 

 

They were two of my favorite people I’ve ever met on a ship and I wish I could remember what it was he was drinking. I want to say it was a tequilla. 

[SNJCruisers]

5 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

 

So substituting Grey Goose VX and Roca Patron for the default liquors don't send any cocktails over $20? Not doubting you just want to make sure before my next cruise

No...like I said, the VX on the rocks was 17 and mixed at Alchemy was 20.  If by some chance they ever had a drink that was over the 20 limit, the bartender would let you know.

[VentureMan_2000]

My drink of choice is a Long Island Iced Tea (no tequila).

If I request, will they make it with Gray Goose, Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin, and Grand Marnier ?

[JaniceB]

The steakhouse had a scotch that was close to the $50 amount before it was lowered.  I wonder if they still have it?

[Joebucks]

9 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I have seen no evidence that they have any plans of introducing more expensive drinks.....

 

I will bet you one $30 drink that a new drink is available on the Mardi Gras for over $20 🙂