how much are coffee drinks and mixed drinks

[h20cruzer]

Trying to decide if buying a coffee card and drink card save me any money. Drink cards are $64 and change for 10 drinks. coffee cards are $29.90 for ten coffees.
I would appreciate any input from someone who has sailed recently.
Going on the Zaandam Dec 7, but I think drink prices are the same on all ships.
Norma

[Pernilla]

I was told by HAL when I phoned that the cards are available on board -- for the same price as purchasing them beforehand. That means you'll be able to check the prices on your favorite beverages and then purchase the cards if you feel that would be more cost effective.

[takemewithyou]

Trying to decide if buying a coffee card and drink card save me any money. Drink cards are $64 and change for 10 drinks. coffee cards are $29.90 for ten coffees.
I would appreciate any input from someone who has sailed recently.
Going on the Zaandam Dec 7, but I think drink prices are the same on all ships.
Norma

As I recall the mixed drinks (like pina coladas, mojitos, margaritas, etc) are about $6-$8. Not as sure about the coffee drinks, but probably $3-$4 for a cappacino , latte, mocha, etc. So there is some savings with the cards.

Some one please correct me if I am wrong.

[RuthC]

As I recall the mixed drinks (like pina coladas, mojitos, margaritas, etc) are about $6-$8. So there is some savings with the cards.

Some one please correct me if I am wrong.
Some cocktails are (or were on my last cruise in July) $5.45, and the drink of the day is also less than the cost of a drink using the cocktail card. So, there's not always a savings.

Nevertheless, on the last 10 days of that last cruise I bought a cocktail card anyway. It was easier to use the card than to keep track of all those little purchase slips, and to me that was worth the additional cost.

[DesertDogs]

I went thru 4 cocktail cards in 15 days. They are great for any drink that is not a drink of the day or your usual type like a rum and coke. You end up getting 10 drinks for the price of 9.

We were on the Zaandam and the bartenders will tell you when NOT to use the card.

Stop by the Ocean Bar and see Joval or Willie and ask for a cocktail card - they will take great care of you! ;)

Have a great cruise! :)

[Sundagger]

Trying to decide if buying a coffee card and drink card save me any money. Drink cards are $64 and change for 10 drinks. coffee cards are $29.90 for ten coffees.
I would appreciate any input from someone who has sailed recently.
Going on the Zaandam Dec 7, but I think drink prices are the same on all ships.
Norma

The coffee prices in the Explorations Cafe are very good. In January, a double espresso was $1.70, a latte or cappucino was $2.60. The only things over $3.00 were a caramello latte, and 3 flavors of cream ices @ $3.05. TeaItalia fruit smoothies were $3.45 and the "daily special" was $4.75 (not sure what that was). So unless you like the more elaborate concoctions, you probably don't need a coffee card. All of those prices were for Grandes - there are smaller "talls" for less money. I have no idea if the prices have gone up during this year.

[travelingkitty]

The coffee prices in the Explorations Cafe are very good. In January, a double espresso was $1.70, a latte or cappucino was $2.60. The only things over $3.00 were a caramello latte, and 3 flavors of cream ices @ $3.05. TeaItalia fruit smoothies were $3.45 and the "daily special" was $4.75 (not sure what that was). So unless you like the more elaborate concoctions, you probably don't need a coffee card. All of those prices were for Grandes - there are smaller "talls" for less money. I have no idea if the prices have gone up during this year.

:)I traveled on Oosterdam on Nov. 15th. I did purchase a coffee drink card before I left. Next time I would wait to purchase the card on the ship after I checked the prices. The prices range from $1.70 for a double espresso. A latte is anywhere from $2.60 to $3.15 for a grande which is about 10 to 12 ozs. These drinks contain one (1) shot of espresso and one (1) shot of syrup in the grande. If you want to add a second (2nd) shot of espresso or syrup and use your drink card they will punch two (2) drinks. You have to get the drink exactly as it comes, any changes to the drink and they will punch a second (2nd) hole. They do have a Special of The Day drink, but that drink also comes with one (1) shot of espresso and one (1) shot of the syrup and generally is $4.75 for a grande. On diferent days they will either have a latte, a iced coffee, or a frozen coffee. They measure the shot of syrup in a shot glass and you get one shot in a grande. I found the drinks to be lacking in flavor and you could hardly tell they had espresso in them with only one (1) shot. The best drink I had was the "Caramello Latte". If you choose the drink you want you might save a few cents, if you get the coffee of the day" you will save more. A couple of the flavors were "Raspbery Mocha latte", Iced Almond", for the 'Coffee of The Day". Hope this helps you make a decision. I used the card for just myself as I was traveling alone. On a seven day cruise you have to end up purchasing two (2) drinks on three of the days. Have a wonderful cruise.

[Sundagger]

Yes, it certainly depends on what sort of drink you prefer. I only drank double espressos (@$1.75), so the coffee card I had been given was a real waste of $$$.

[Williebill]

The cost of a drink card doesn't include the gratuities,does it?

[bigwuhead]

If you will drink all 10 drinks, it is worth it. Gratuity is included. I purchased mine on board on the first day, and found it was just a thousand times easier than collecting and signing for all my drinks.

I think someone mentioned it...it does save you about the cost of 1 drink.

[abb4k]

Yet cappucino and espressos are free of charge in the dining room, right?

[RuthC]

Yet cappucino and espressos are free of charge in the dining room, right?
Right.