It wasn't that long ago when former T-Mobile CEO John Legere took on AT&T and Verizon for offering unlimited plans that weren't actually unlimited. Instead, the phone companies reserved the right to slow down data for customers who exceeded certain thresholds.
Being slowed down, however, is worse than being shut off. That scenario harkens back to a famous "The Simpsons" episode where Homer Simpson gets ejected from the Frying Dutchman, an all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant.
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The famous scene was described and transcribed by Quotes.net.
Flying Dutchman Waiter #2: [to Captain McAlister] That man ate all our shrimp! And two plastic lobsters!
Captain McAllister: 'Tis no man. 'Tis a remorseless eatin' machine!
Captain McAllister: [He approaches Homer/Marge's table] Six bells! Time for closin'!
Homer:
[with mouth full] Can't talk. Eating.Captain McAllister: Fairly warned be thee, says I!
[Captain McAlister snaps his fingers. The waitstaff forcibly remove Homer from the table and drag him outside. However, Homer breaks free and runs back inside to shovel more food in his mouth. Again, the waitstaff drag him away]
Homer: [whining] But the sign said "All you can eat!"
In the end, Homer and the restaurant reached a settlement after it became clear that the Frying Dutchman did not offer all-you-can-eat seafood. (Homer proved his case when Marge Simpson admitted in court that after they were thrown out of the restaurant, they went fishing.
Carnival Cruise Line may be slightly more transparent, but its all-you-can-drink beverage program, Cheers, comes with a major caveat.
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Image source: Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival keeps its alcoholic drink limit
While Carnival's Cheers package clearly has a limit of 15 alcoholic beverages per day, it doesn't exactly put it in the headline.
"Enjoy the ease of paying one flat price for your spirited beverages over the entire length of your cruise. Now, that’s something to cheer about! Save up to 10% by purchasing before you sail," the cruise line shared on its website.
You have to go further down the page before you learn about the limit.
"Program allows for up to 15 alcoholic drinks, per 24-hour period (6 a.m. - 6 a.m.). Once you have consumed your 15 drinks, you cannot purchase any additional alcoholic beverages," it added.
The conditions aren't exactly hidden, but they're not exactly trumpeted and Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald gets asked about ending the limit quite often.
"Honestly, I do not get it but perhaps that’s because I don’t drink any alcohol. We are not changing anything despite the barrage of requests I have every week. We will stay at 15 drinks in a 24-hour period (unlimited non-alcoholic drinks) and despite requests like this I wanted to save you the trouble of writing to me and say again we will not be changing anything," he shared on Facebook.
Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line do not have limits on their unlimited drink package plans.
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Carnival passengers speak out on drink limits
While 15 alcoholic drinks seem like a lot, there's a big difference between someone who starts early and has a beer every hour or so and someone who lines up 15 whiskey drinks between 10 p.m. and midnight. Most of Carnival's rivals will shut someone off for being overly intoxicated but technically have no limits.
Heald's post gained over 2,200 comments with Barry Walker summing up why some people are angry about the rule.
"I can reach the 15 from time to time but I only drink hard liquor. I do have many friends who are beer drinkers who could have 15 beers and barely be tipsy. I do understand their point. I am drinking 90-proof liquor and they are drinking beer with 6% alcohol," he wrote.
Others echoed that point.
"12-15 on hot summer cruises with light beers is doable - glass or two of wine with dinner (15 is easy)...keep in mind we are up at 7 a.m. exercising and dancing til 2 a.m.," added Jan Brewster.
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Many people argued that if the package is not truly unlimited they should be able to buy more drinks.
"It's honestly not hard to hit 15 (if you start early) the only thing I believe should be changed is being able to purchase a 16th drink. This could also be up to the bartender. Just as it is on land," posted Stephen Phillip Hawker wrote.
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Some posters noted that the limit may have the opposite effect.
"I feel like because there’s a limit, people set a goal to reach that limit each day. I don’t drink heavily so 15 is way over the top for me in a day. I’m genuinely curious as to how many drinks on average people consume when it’s unlimited," shared Bernadette Dymond Dyer.
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