NCL soda package

Hi

Just wondering what peoples experiences are with NCLs soda package? Having used it before on RCI, I'm a little worried about doing it again. I always seemed to get a bit of a strange vibe off the bar men -as if I was hassling them for a soda (which presumably meant they weren't getting a tip).

Do they have any automatic machines like they do freedom of seas?

Thanks, Steve

Hi

 

Just wondering what peoples experiences are with NCLs soda package? Having used it before on RCI, I'm a little worried about doing it again. I always seemed to get a bit of a strange vibe off the bar men -as if I was hassling them for a soda (which presumably meant they weren't getting a tip).

 

Do they have any automatic machines like they do freedom of seas?

 

Thanks, Steve

The purchase price of the soda package includes a 15% gratuity so I wouldn't feel too guilty about it if I were you. The cruise line is selling these things; you're paying for it. If you think a bartender is "hassled" by getting you something you already paid *and* tipped for --- f' him.

My DH has gotten it on our 2 NCL cruises and had no issues getting a soda when requested. We were sitting at the bar one day and DH ordered a drink and I ordered a soda and when they saw his sticker they didn't charge me for the soda.

Can you buy the sodas in cans or bottles?

I don't think I would drink enough to make up for the cost of a soda package, but would like to have one or two on hand just in case I get the urge.

Can you buy the sodas in cans or bottles?

 

I don't think I would drink enough to make up for the cost of a soda package, but would like to have one or two on hand just in case I get the urge.

When we were on the PoA in January, it was $2.10 per can. We didn't buy any. We did, however, pickup a 2 litre bottle in one of the ports and bring it back.

When we were on the PoA in January, it was $2.10 per can. We didn't buy any. We did, however, pickup a 2 litre bottle in one of the ports and bring it back.

Thanks for your help! Maybe I'll do that. I only drink about 8oz a day, if that much.

We have used the soda program with no problems or attitudes from the crew. However, we also have brought soda and water onboard to keep in our cabin which works well too.

My daughter and I were just on the Dawn last June, and we both brought cases of our fave and just taped it up with our rm number on it. No prob getting it on and saved sixty bucks!

I've gotten the soda pass on my last 2 cruises. If that's what you drink, then I see no reason to not get it on a vacation. Drink and be merry

Wondering about water. Is there such a thing as a bottled water package.? Is it included in soda pkg. I've heard the ship tap water is just fine to drink, but DH is nervous about drinking it.

I haven't seen a bottled water package on the ship but I thought I saw where someone mentioned one in a thread. The ship's water really is very very good. I don't drink enough water so use the cruise as my opportunity to suck down more of it (at least for a week:p).

Wondering about water. Is there such a thing as a bottled water package.? Is it included in soda pkg. I've heard the ship tap water is just fine to drink, but DH is nervous about drinking it.

I have never personally heard of a bottled water package. However, per bottle it gets expensive. I too am nervous about the ship's water and therefore bring some bottled water to keep back at the cabin.

My husband and I always purchase the soda package for both of us. We have never had any weird looks or problems getting a drink. They have always served us in the order we arrived at the bar. The same goes for being at any of the restaurants (whether it be the free or pay restaurants). They will happily bring you a soda with your meal.

If you don't drink a lot, why not just stopped somewhere prior to boarding and grab a 12 pack case or something and slap a room sticker on it and they will deliver it to your room with no problems. We've done that in the past. It always showed up and we just do this because some times I like to have a cold soda prior to going to bed or after waking up and don't feel like walking up on deck to a bar to try to get one served to me. :)

Hi

 

Just wondering what peoples experiences are with NCLs soda package? Having used it before on RCI, I'm a little worried about doing it again. I always seemed to get a bit of a strange vibe off the bar men -as if I was hassling them for a soda (which presumably meant they weren't getting a tip).

 

Thanks, Steve

I've purchased the soda packages on both RCI and NCL. I saw no noticeable difference in how the staff viewed it between the two. I also never felt like I was hassling them on either line. It's just something they need to deal with and you are perfectly within your right to expect them to provide you with the soda in a professional, timely manner. If you aren't getting that, then speak with a manager.

My family got the soda package on our 2010 NCL cruise. We didn't have any issues with the bar staff treating us differently -- they were perfectly nice -- but wouldn't buy it again, because it just wasn't cost-effective. We didn't drink enough soda to warrant it.

We just got back from the Epic (April 7-14) We purchased the soda card stickers. We didn't get the souvenir cups, I guess they were out, so each time I'd ask for 2 at a time usually, and had no trouble at all. I'm a tipper, and had allocated a few hundred dollars in 1s and 5s just for tips, so each time I hit a bar for anything I leave a tip, but it's not required.

We also had CAS drink cards. With those drink cards, you are entitled to free drinks in the casino, and the casino bar will also give free house drinks, so if you get that card, are on a budget, and can limit your sodas to getting them in the casino or casino bar you can skip the sticker. At 6.25/day, we figured 2 sodas a day would probably cover the cost of them and that would probably happen at a restaurant easily, sitting down or at entertainment or somewhere else where it would be inconvenient to run out to the casino bar. Technically they want you to use the casino drink card while gambling but as long as you gamble some, I don't think it's an issue. You'll either earn a card for next cruise or not. I gambled enough (and won) to get another free cruise, which will come with casino drink cards again.

We also had tried bar setup for the room this time, but found that it was inconvenient to run around to the room to fill drinks then go back to where we were, so we ended up not using the bar setup and bringing the 2 overpriced bottles home with us. We purchased more at the duty free shop at 2/20 to bring the price down.

I have never personally heard of a bottled water package. However, per bottle it gets expensive. I too am nervous about the ship's water and therefore bring some bottled water to keep back at the cabin.

the ships water is probably cleaner than the water you drink at home.

I get the soda package every time. For me, it is worth it.

the ships water is probably cleaner than the water you drink at home.

You could be right........... lol :D

the ships water is probably cleaner than the water you drink at home.

That is definitely true. The ship's purifiers are actually better than most of the companies that bottle water have in their plants. I never haul any bottles on board. Too much of a headache and the water always tasted better than the plastic taste of bottled water. The MOST I do is take empty throw away water bottles and packets of lemonade mix. Iced tea can be easily gotten but not lemonade. :)

That is definitely true. The ship's purifiers are actually better than most of the companies that bottle water have in their plants. I never haul any bottles on board. Too much of a headache and the water always tasted better than the plastic taste of bottled water. The MOST I do is take empty throw away water bottles and packets of lemonade mix. Iced tea can be easily gotten but not lemonade. :)

That's what I'm considering doing... buying a box or two of those "Kool-aid singles" to mix in with water for when I want something sweeter than water. You can get a box (12 packets) for around $2-3 here, and I figure that 12 little packets of Kool-Aid is a lot lighter to carry than a few cases of soda cans. :P

At first, I considered buying the soda package... until I did the math. There's no way I'd drink enough soda to break even, let alone to be saving any money. It's around $50 for the card, if I remember correctly... and the sodas are $2 a can bought individually... so the card is basically like pre-paying for 25 sodas. On a 7 day cruise. That's 3-4 cans of soda per day, just to break even on the "package". That's a lot of caffeine and empty calories! :eek: I don't even really watch things like that... I just know that I don't drink nearly that many sodas on a regular basis. XD

I do enjoy a nice cold soda every once in a while, but I am just as happy drinking juice or tea (or even water, if that's all that was available). So if I just have to have a soda, I'll pay the $2 for one. Even if I have a soda with lunch every day, that would still only be $14 total compared to $50. And I doubt I'll drink even that much. If I were a big soda drinker, I'd definitely bring a case or two of sodas onto the ship with me rather than buy a soda card.

Correct me if my line of thinking is incorrect. I'm just going based off of the prices that I've read on the NCL site and here on CC. :)

We took the soda package on our cruise, and were very happy with it. We found the waiters to be just as friendly. Our butler even told us he would get our drinks when we were in the room, but we never asked him to do that.

For us the savings were high as I am a huge sierra mist fan and drank more than 2 liters a day :-)

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When my husband and I was on the Dawn, we purchased the soda program and always received good service when asked for anywhere on the ship. For us, it really paid for itself. I like being able to get a soda whenever I want and not worrying about how much I spent on soda for each day on the cruise.

We just returned from the Jewel yesterday. My husband bought the soda card and had NO problems at all. We NEVER had any issues at all when he showed the card. For him, it was money well spent.:)

Never had an issue using the card.