New to Princess - Coffee and Soda Cards

[Vanilla]

The coffee that is served in Sabatinis for breakfast is brewed or from concentrate?

If you are in the MDR and give your server your coffee card, will they be able to get brewed coffee?

[Pia1913]

The coffee that is served in Sabatinis for breakfast is brewed or from concentrate?

If you are in the MDR and give your server your coffee card, will they be able to get brewed coffee?

 

No clue about Sabatini's and no, you cannot get brewed in the MDR. You can however get specialties using the card. Since brewed with the card doesn't carry a punch, that's their logic.

[CruiseNut24]

I am thinking of ordering the Ultimate Soda Card, and was wondering - if I pre order before the cruise, do they just leave a sicker for your card in your room? If I do pre order, does Princess charge your credit card before the cruise. I was only thinking of doing it before the cruise if Princess charges now, that way I can get some of the on board stuff paid off before the cruise.

 

Thanks

[Pia1913]

I am thinking of ordering the Ultimate Soda Card, and was wondering - if I pre order before the cruise, do they just leave a sicker for your card in your room? If I do pre order, does Princess charge your credit card before the cruise. I was only thinking of doing it before the cruise if Princess charges now, that way I can get some of the on board stuff paid off before the cruise.

 

Thanks

 

Yes. Whatever you order in advance you must give them a credit card number and your account is charged immediately. I don't know how they distribute the sticker, but I would assume it will already be on your card or you will get the appropriate notice in your cabin when you check in.

[rdsqrl]

I am thinking of ordering the Ultimate Soda Card, and was wondering - if I pre order before the cruise, do they just leave a sicker for your card in your room? If I do pre order, does Princess charge your credit card before the cruise. I was only thinking of doing it before the cruise if Princess charges now, that way I can get some of the on board stuff paid off before the cruise.

 

Thanks

I don't know about the logistics of getting the sticker if you pre-order, but I'm pretty sure that anything you buy in advance does get charged at time of purchase. However, here's what I'd do (have done and will do again!): send myself onboard credit in advance. This gets charged by Princess to your credit card right now and then you have that amount already credited to your shipboard account when you board. So you can "pay" now for that soda sticker and not worry about actually "buying" it until you're on the ship and confronted with the first of the 1,657 waiters who will try to sell it to you! Sending oneself advance onboard credit is one of the cleverest hints I've ever gotten from my fellow brilliant CCers.

[CulverCityCruisers]

I am thinking of ordering the Ultimate Soda Card, and was wondering - if I pre order before the cruise, do they just leave a sicker for your card in your room? If I do pre order, does Princess charge your credit card before the cruise. I was only thinking of doing it before the cruise if Princess charges now, that way I can get some of the on board stuff paid off before the cruise.

 

Thanks

I ordered mine for our 14 day to the islands and was charged at the time of the order. They indicated that my card would have the sticker on it at the time of check in at the port. We will see what happens. Either way you pay!:rolleyes:

[dreamcruiser53]

Just off the Grand and was shocked to find out my card from previous cruise would no longer get me brewed coffee (still had 10 punches left) only special coffees. We ended up buying another card for brewed and were allowed to get 2 coffees on one card, no problems. I just want to thank the lady that laminated her card that was 10 years old. Apparently she was the reason Princess changed policy.

[Pia1913]

Just off the Grand and was shocked to find out my card from previous cruise would no longer get me brewed coffee (still had 10 punches left) only special coffees. We ended up buying another card for brewed and were allowed to get 2 coffees on one card, no problems. I just want to thank the lady that laminated her card that was 10 years old. Apparently she was the reason Princess changed policy.

 

Had you been following CC, you would not have been surprised. Unlimited brewed on old cards was eliminated at the end of 2011. Your 10 punches will remain until you choose to use them, but you also could have used them for brewed if you so desired. I wouldn't point a finger at any one person, since the card was never meant to be use for a lifetime.

[kdg51]

Does anyone know what sodas are included on the soda card? I am a Root Beer fan but not crazy about Barqs...have always brought my own for during the day and sometimes order a can at meals or shows on NCL. This is my 1st Princess cruise.

Edited March 13, 2012 by kdg51

[Magnolia27]

I don't know about the logistics of getting the sticker if you pre-order, but I'm pretty sure that anything you buy in advance does get charged at time of purchase. However, here's what I'd do (have done and will do again!): send myself onboard credit in advance. This gets charged by Princess to your credit card right now and then you have that amount already credited to your shipboard account when you board. So you can "pay" now for that soda sticker and not worry about actually "buying" it until you're on the ship and confronted with the first of the 1,657 waiters who will try to sell it to you! Sending oneself advance onboard credit is one of the cleverest hints I've ever gotten from my fellow brilliant CCers.

 

 

How do you pay onboard credit in advance?

[Pia1913]

Does anyone know what sodas are included on the soda card? I am a Root Beer fan but not crazy about Barqs...have always brought my own for during the day and sometimes order a can at meals or shows on NCL. This is my 1st Princess cruise.

 

Cans are not included. Your soda sticker is for those than come out of the dispenser/fountain.

[Pia1913]

How do you pay onboard credit in advance?

 

Go into Princess.com and hit onboard experience.

Then hit gifts and services

Then hit on board gift credit

 

Select what you want, download order sheet and send to Princess. Or, you could call them. Your credit card will be charged immediately.

[DoulaAnn]

Does anyone have an idea how many ounces are dispensed in the fountain version? It is hard to compare apples to apples when I'm looking a $2 for a can vs. whatever for a fountain drink, when I don't know if the fountain is bigger or smaller than a can.

[paul929207]

Does anyone have an idea how many ounces are dispensed in the fountain version? It is hard to compare apples to apples when I'm looking a $2 for a can vs. whatever for a fountain drink, when I don't know if the fountain is bigger or smaller than a can.

I would say the glasses are about 16 ounces, so with ice and a little space at the top, it is 10 or 12 ounces of soda.

[Iamcruzin]

Personally I think the only thing worth prepaying for would be the internet minutes or casino chips because they give you additional minutes for paying in advance and the casino chips can be converted to cash but that’s a topic for another thread. Everything else you can get when you board the ship. There is usually a table set up at every elevator with someone to sell you a soft drink package or to sign you up for wine tasting. It you manage to escape them someone in Horizon court or the MDR will be sure to ask you. If you are really trying to budget your money it’s much easier to add up all of the additional items and prepay your credit card or debit card before you go. I can do that from my computer at home or on my iPhone while I am waiting in the airport. It’s more trouble to print and fax a form and hope that an error isn’t made in the process. Just my opinion I am sure that those who prepay have a reason that works for them.

[fatcattravel]

Did you feel the cost of the card was worth the price for what you get?

[sunnydaygirl]

Did you feel the cost of the card was worth the price for what you get?

 

I was on the Princess the first week in July. I had the drink + card. I loved it. Every evening I enjoyed a cup of hot choc. And I'm an avid diet coke drinker. I also was a little Leary of their "mocktails" but was very pleasantly surprised. They were great!! If you're the person that takes a little rum on board you have the perfect drink!! I also had hot choc at breakfast. I actually thought this and dessert were the highlight of cruise. Thought the food was lacking!! The beef choices were not good. Hope this helps.

[fatcattravel]

How much was this card? Trying to get an update!

[Pia1913]

How much was this card? Trying to get an update!

 

Too many cards. Which do you want; soda, ultimate or coffee? Or all?

 

Soda is $5.18/day

 

Ultimate is $8.05/day

 

Coffee is $33.35 until used up.

[IslandEmily]

Do you know if bottled water is included?

[caribill]

Do you know if bottled water is included?

 

Soda card: Receive a souvenir tumbler and select from a variety of unlimited soft drinks served by the glass at all bars and restaurant locations throughout your cruise.

 

Soda and more card: Indulge yourself with this premium Unlimited Soda & more Package,† entitling you to the above Unlimited Soda Package plus any mocktails, juices, shakes, floats and complimentary hot chocolate throughout your cruise.

 

Neither includes bottled water

[cruzsnooze]

No longer matters. Coffee card is now ship/cruise specific, so you can no longer save it to use on a subsequent cruise.

It matters a whole lot. On a 26 day cruise if you use your card up on day 1-25 you miss having your fresh brewed for the entire cruise.

[caribill]

It matters a whole lot. On a 26 day cruise if you use your card up on day 1-25 you miss having your fresh brewed for the entire cruise.

 

No. With the current card, you can still get fresh brewed until the end of the cruise, even if all the punches have been used.

[cruzsnooze]

If you want a free coffee mug,,,,,,,,,,wait till you get on board to purchase the coffee card........the price is the same but we pre purchased........& did not get the mug......they said it was only when u purchase onboard........so we had to go turn in the prepaid one for a refund......then go purchase a new card to get the mug.....kinda silly if u ask me.

 

Also, you get unlimited brewed coffee & tea.............but save your last specialty coffee punch because they were taking them from passengers when they punched the last punch.......therefore eliminating them from getting the brewed coffee....again,,,made no sense......(this was on the Coral 15 day panama canal cruise)

 

No. With the current card, you can still get fresh brewed until the end of the cruise, even if all the punches have been used.

According to this poster you don't get brewed coffee after your card is up.

[Kaitlyn2]

Personally I think the only thing worth prepaying for would be the internet minutes or casino chips because they give you additional minutes for paying in advance and the casino chips can be converted to cash but that’s a topic for another thread. Everything else you can get when you board the ship. There is usually a table set up at every elevator with someone to sell you a soft drink package or to sign you up for wine tasting. It you manage to escape them someone in Horizon court or the MDR will be sure to ask you. If you are really trying to budget your money it’s much easier to add up all of the additional items and prepay your credit card or debit card before you go. I can do that from my computer at home or on my iPhone while I am waiting in the airport. It’s more trouble to print and fax a form and hope that an error isn’t made in the process. Just my opinion I am sure that those who prepay have a reason that works for them.

Our kids always purchase on board credits for us in lieu of birthday or holiday gifts if we have a cruise coming up. They know we'll use for specialty dining, shore excursions, or spa treats. It is fast and easy for someone to "gift" you with OBC. You need to give them your booking # and they can call Princess and tell them how much - I think it needs to be in increments of $25. I carry on with me copies of the emails received with the gift amounts in case there is any issue. Never have been although it may not show up right away on your OB acct. I like having the $$ already available.