Can we talk about beverage packages?

[KissimmeeFamily]

Originally Posted by DireMongoose

A few things:

1) Generally, if you have the soda package, you can get a can on request. If you walk up to a bar and order they'll default to giving you a glass, but I've never had a problem getting a can if I wanted a can.

2) The soda package cup/thermos-ish thing itself holds more than a can -- without measuring I'd guess about a can and a half plus ice. We like being able to get it filled and go to the game room or to play mini golf or (fill in cruise activity without an extremely convienient bar) here. If only drink soda with meals this may not be relevant to you, but we find the cup pretty convienient

Personally, I drink about a case of soda a day at home. The soda package isn't really a rip off for me -- your mileage may vary.

If you bring your own large thermos or as we call them here in Orlando "Buba Cups" will they fill it or does it have to be their cups?

If they will give you soda in cans and the soda plan is unlimited can you ask for half a dozen at a time and save yourself a lot of walking?

Last question, do people customarily tip each time they request a soda ?

The last, last question, If I take a 2 liter diet coke with me to Chops will they charge me a corkage fee? (I'm joking.... or am I)

This is embarrassing, but I have one more last question, the customer rep at RCCL said you have to wear a wrist band for the soda program? True or false?

[DireMongoose]

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

If you bring your own large thermos or as we call them here in Orlando "Buba Cups" will they fill it or does it have to be their cups?

I sort of assume their cubs, however, I've never tried.

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

If they will give you soda in cans and the soda plan is unlimited can you ask for half a dozen at a time and save yourself a lot of walking?

I've never tried, but usually if I'm asking for a drink for myself and one for my wife, I need to show them both of our cards, so I assume generally no.

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

Last question, do people customarily tip each time they request a soda ?

I usually don't, but I really try to make it up somewhat to the bartenders who are cool about it by tipping them way too much for something else.

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

The last, last question, If I take a 2 liter diet coke with me to Chops will they charge me a corkage fee? (I'm joking.... or am I)

I'll assume joking.

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

This is embarrassing, but I have one more last question, the customer rep at RCCL said you have to wear a wrist band for the soda program? True or false?

False, at least as of our last cruise in March. You get a sticker on your SeaPass that says that you have the soda package -- that's it.

[mjldvlks]

If you want to know if the soda package is "worth it," you need to compare not how big the glass is they might serve you in a bar, but how many cans you DON'T buy because you have the card. To say you need drink 5-6 a day to break even is ridiculous. If you would otherwise buy more than 3 cans of soda a day [say one at lunch, one at dinner, and one at a show], Then the package is worth it. The soda package is 6.90 a day [including tip], pay as you go is 2.24 [including tip -- I think]. If you expect to buy 3 or fewer cans per day -- pay as you go. If more, buy the package. The math is relatively simple. I don't drink alcohol so it is well worth it to me.

[KarinaGW]

Originally Posted by DireMongoose

Quote:
Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily View Post
This is embarrassing, but I have one more last question, the customer rep at RCCL said you have to wear a wrist band for the soda program? True or false?

False, at least as of our last cruise in March. You get a sticker on your SeaPass that says that you have the soda package -- that's it.

Given the number of people who seem to have no problem sharing a soda card, maybe they've gone to wristband i.d. Be a lot harder to cheat. I'll know in a couple weeks.

As for me, since intravenous coke feed would work for me, the coke package is worth it. And, for an earlier poster. I don't drink a mixed drink at dinner, I usually have a line up of water glass, diet coke and a glass of wine.

[mjldvlks]

Originally Posted by KissimmeeFamily

Last question, do people customarily tip each time they request a soda ?

To add to the answers of others. I do not. You have already paid the 15% gratuity when you bought the package. I do not know for certain, but I believe that goes to some kind of pool and not just to the attendants at the station selling the packages. Anyway -- you have already paid the basic tip. I have, however, given extra to servers who were particularly helpful and friendly. For example, we were on Monarch last summer during the Euro 2008 tournament. I spent a couple of mornings in the Schooner bar watching games. After a while the bartender would prepare my diet coke as soon as he saw me and have it waiting by the time I got to the bar. I came by the last day and gave him some extra.

[Liberty3]

Originally Posted by digital_curator

If you are in the MDR at breakfast there will also be a selection of juices (orange, grapefruit, cranberry, etc.) and milk. We have also been able to get milk in the MDR at lunch.

At the buffet there is at least orange and grapefruit juice in the morning (we have also had a tropical mix on one cruise in the Caribbean) as well as the aforementioned iced tea and lemonade (and again we had fruit punch on one cruise in the Caribbean) at lunch and dinner.

If you are on a ship with a promenade, one small frustration is that the cafe there will have water, coffee, and the makings for hot tea and hot chocolate but not iced tea or lemonade- you need to get this from the MDR or the buffet.

On 4 cruises, I have only bought 1 soda and we don't miss it (though I do drink more alcoholic beverages on board than we do at home). We bring our own mug for water but there will be signs out not to fill these up directly to avoid the spread of germs.

Hi there! We have never sailed RCCL (4 on Carnival) Do you think the Independence services milk/choc milk at the Windjammer buffet? I know Carnival offers milk at their buffets.
Thank you!

Liberty3

[RoofingPrincess]

Yes, the Windjammer has small cartons of milk. I've grabbed them as well as small boxes of cereal so one of the sleepyheads in my cabin can eat brekkie whilst the other one showers...

[olefin32]

Originally Posted by KarinaGW

Given the number of people who seem to have no problem sharing a soda card,

We usually always share the soda card. Works just fine.

[KarinaGW]

Originally Posted by olefin32

We usually always share the soda card. Works just fine.

But you're not supposed to.

[kitty1]

We just got back last week. No wristbands yet for the soda package. But they probably should because a lot of folks are still sharing.

If you order it prior to the cruise it is pre-printed on your sea pass card.

It's the people that are sharing that will wind up ruining it for everyone.

[paulap70]

I was under the impression that the beverage package only allowed fountain Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite. I personally don't drink much pop after mid-afternoon as I don't want the caffeine keeping me up all night. I would like Diet Sprite, but understood that it was available in cans only. According to some of these posts, it sounds like I could request cans. Is this correct?

[Lionesss]

Now mind you it has been two summers since we sailed the Mariner of the Seas. But one thing I remember from Labadee is that when we went to the BBQ the furthest from Barefoot beach there was a bar behind the serving area.
We approached and the 3 of us presented our soda cards, the girl proceeds to pull out 2 cans of coke and pour them, before she finishes I ask if we each can have a can and she goes "NO".
To make a long story short we drank our coke in front of her and asked for another round. Once again 2 cans poured 3 ways. At least they were opened in front of us.

Later