Drinks packages provide a source of endless debate on cruise line Facebook groups and other message boards. Two topics are most heavily discussed by experienced and first-time cruisers.
The first involves Carnival Cruise Line's (CCL) -) Cheers package which has a strict 15-drink limit on alcoholic beverages. People who buy that package can have all the soda, juice, shakes, and specialty coffee they want, but once they hit 15 alcoholic beverages they can't order any more.
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That may seem like a number that few people would hit, but for people who drink beer and don't sleep much on cruises, it's not as many as you think. If you start with mimosas, a bloody Mary, or even a beer (nobody is judging, you're on vacation) and drink steadily throughout the day, 15 comes faster than you think.
Royal Caribbean (RCL) -), MSC, and Norwegian Cruise Line have no specific limit. In a broad sense, any cruise line will stop serving any visibly inebriated passenger, but only Carnival has a specific limit for its "unlimited" drink package.
That's a heavy subject of debate but it's the second-most discussed drink packages question. The most-talked-about one is clearly "is the drink package worth it?"
Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival had a drink package problem
Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for its drink package which can be frustrating for its passengers. You might see the cruise line's Unlimited Beverage Package (UBP) listed for $79 a day (plus an 18% gratuity) one day and then see it listed for $72 the next. You can cancel and rebook, but that means waiting for a refund and tying up a lot of money.
Carnival has an easier pricing model for its Cheers unlimited (sort of) beverage package. The cruise line charges $59.95 per day with the same 18% gratuity as its rival. That price does not change.
So, when a number of Carnival customers logged onto its website and found Cheers offered for a much lower price, they pounced. The cruise line, however, was not offering a sale, it was a technical glitch, according to a Facebook post from Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald.
"The IT issue related to Cheers! sales on Carnival.com has been resolved. The price per day was correctly displayed but the calculation in the checkout cart was in error. All guests who booked with this glitch will get a refund of their purchase and a one-time discount code should they wish to repurchase," he shared.
Norwegian also uses fixed pricing as does MSC which offers multiple tiers for its drink packages.
Carnival passengers react to Cheers news
That, as you might imagine, was not the resolution many people who managed to buy Cheers at the cheaper price were hoping for. Most of the over 1,600 comments on Heald's post were actually pretty good-natured.
"I'll take the discount. The one reason I booked it LOL. Never expected them to honor it," Sean Seibel wrote.
"Fair enough! I’m good with this! The discount code amount will determine if I repurchase! Thanks John Heald," Richie Long added.
And, while there were some angry responses, most people were understanding because Carnival, unlike Royal Caribbean, does not change its Cheers pricing. The Carnival glitch essentially allowed people to buy the package on a daily basis rather than for the length of their cruise.
Many of the people who were upset with having their purchase canceled seemed to be understanding.
"Darn, was hoping Cheers was going to a daily option and both people in the room no longer needed. I purchased 3 days hoping to use on sea days," Brian Black wrote.
Carnival requires all people in the same room who are 21 and over to buy Cheers package if one buys it. Royal Caribbean has the same policy, but has generally allowed people to buy non-alcoholic drinkers its "Refreshment" package if the passenger calls and asks.
Heald did note that not everyone was nice about the change.
"You know, today I have been called a fat waste of space, a stooge, and have someone truly upset with me because I use the term 'the beards," he posted. (The beards is Heald's nickname for company management which includes Carnival President Christine Duffy).
"Thank goodness I truly love my job," he added.
