Carnival Cruise Line addresses disputed drink rule
The cruise line’s brand ambassador tackled a controversial alcoholic beverage policy on his popular Facebook page.
Carnival Cruise Line takes a lot of heat for its strict beverage package policies.
When it comes to Carnival’s Cheers beverage package, many passengers don’t like that the cruise line sets restrictions on how much they can consume, especially since the package costs more than $80 per day and must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.
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Not to mention, no sharing is permitted, and if one adult purchases the package, the other adults assigned to their stateroom must purchase it, too.
The Cheers beverage package isn’t unlimited like some other cruise lines’ packages are, such as Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package. Carnival's Cheers package includes unlimited soda, non-alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, and water but limits alcoholic beverages to 15 drinks per 24-hour period.
Although passengers often write to Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald to complain about the 15-drink rule for alcoholic beverages, other passengers argue that the restriction isn’t worth getting worked up over.
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Carnival cruise passenger questions alcoholic drink limit debate
“So as an average person who enjoys a couple of cocktails during the day, some wine with dinner and a couple of drinks at the comedy shows, I can see how I could perhaps hit 8 in a day is the 15-drink limit really a big deal?” an unidentified passenger recently wrote in a Facebook message to Carnival's brand ambassador. “I will answer my own question and say it isn’t. Does anyone really ever reach 15 drinks, John Heald?”
As Carnival’s brand ambassador shared the passenger’s message in a Facebook post, he noted that the cruise line’s Cheers beverage package is very popular and that the cruise line does not currently have any plans to alter it or add any other beverage package options.
“Well, let me start by saying the Cheers program is massively popular. I know people ask me all the time for amended shorter packages but just to answer that here I know of no plans to change or add any drinks programs at this time,” Heald clarified.
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When it comes to the 15-drink limit for alcoholic beverages, Heald urged passengers to use their own judgement.
“As for 15 being the right amount of alcoholic drinks in a 24-hour period. I don’t have the data to share on how many manage 15 alcoholic drinks but please everyone, drink responsibly and do what is best for you,” the brand ambassador wrote.
Heald also pointed out that passengers can enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic beverages with the Cheers package. These do not count toward the 15-alcoholic beverages limit.
“Oh and with the Cheers program you also get to enjoy unlimited soda, nonalcoholic drinks, coffee, milk shakes and water.”
Carnival passengers share their cruise beverage habits, requests
According to the comments on the post, some passengers do manage to hit the 15-drink limit for alcoholic beverages. A few passengers even explained that having a limit makes some passengers want to drink that many alcoholic beverages in order to feel like they’re getting their money’s worth.
“We have cruised other lines where there is no numbered limit and I feel that number becomes a goal instead of a limit. On other lines I feel like I drink less,” Dave Rossow explained.
Some passengers would like to see Carnival offer a lower-priced alcoholic beverage package that includes fewer drinks.
“15 drinks is plenty. I'm not a big drinker but do enjoy the specialty drinks. However, the price is too expensive. I can't afford it,” Lynda Mae explained.
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For passengers who don’t drink alcohol, a non-alcoholic beverage package option that offers more beverage variety than the cruise line’s unlimited soda package would be a welcome addition.
“When I was drinking I would hit 15 alcohol drinks by 7 p.m. more than once but now I am not drinking alcohol but we wish Carnival would offer coffee and other drinks packages,” Joe Scichilone wrote.
“I do wish you had a mid package that featured specialty coffee, milkshakes, soda, and non-alcoholic beverages. I would definitely purchase it,” Amanda Wilkie added.
Royal Caribbean offers a mid-level drink package like this, but Carnival does not.
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