Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Coffee Card?

ann141

By ann141,
in Princess Cruises

 Share

Recommended Posts

ann141

ann141

Posted
Posted

I understand that once onboard the ship 15% gratuity will be added onto any drinks purchased. Does this include coffee and if it does presumably if you purchase the coffee card before the cruise you dont pay then?? Also is the 15% added onto excursions booked onboard or is it just alcohol and shop purchases?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
skynight

skynight

Posted
Posted (edited)
I understand that once onboard the ship 15% gratuity will be added onto any drinks purchased. Does this include coffee and if it does presumably if you purchase the coffee card before the cruise you dont pay then?? Also is the 15% added onto excursions booked onboard or is it just alcohol and shop purchases?

The actual price of the coffee card is $31 + 15% grat. which equals $35.65. The price is the same and grats. are included if you pre-purchase or purchase on board. However, if you purchase on board while the ship is in a U.S. port on embarkation day then you may be subject to additional State sales taxes.

No gratuity is added to any tour price at any time, and no gratuity is added to any purchases made in any of the ship's stores. It is normal to tip tour guides/drivers with cash when the tour is complete.

 

A 15% gratuity is automatically added to all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including espresso drinks, brewed coffee at the coffee bar (excluding bottles purchased in the duty free shop). Free coffee and tea is available in the buffet all day and evening.

Edited by sknight
Link to comment
Share on other sites
moki'smommy

moki'smommy

Posted
Posted
So there is no advantage in purchasing before boarding??

 

Depending on your situation, there may be a disadvantage to advance purchases. If you wait and purchase on board it is charged to your on board account and can be paid off with OBC. If you purchase in advance, you pay cash in advance. Depending on the amount of OBC on your account, this could matter to you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
recia

recia

Posted
Posted
The actual price of the coffee card is $31 + 15% grat. which equals $35.65. The price is the same and grats. are included if you pre-purchase or purchase on board. However, if you purchase on board while the ship is in a U.S. port on embarkation day then you may be subject to additional State sales taxes.

No gratuity is added to any tour price at any time, and no gratuity is added to any purchases made in any of the ship's stores. It is normal to tip tour guides/drivers with cash when the tour is complete.

 

A 15% gratuity is automatically added to all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including espresso drinks, brewed coffee at the coffee bar (excluding bottles purchased in the duty free shop). Free coffee and tea is available in the buffet all day and evening.

 

On the Emerald last week coffee card was $29 plus 15%

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Astro Flyer

Astro Flyer

Posted
Posted
There's an advantage to the crew when purchases on the ship. They get a sales credit to their name and it can mean having a 1/2 day off work, other wise the price is the same.

That's why we purchase the wine package from our dining room servers who will be getting us our wine & we prefer they get the credit instead of another crewmember.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Astro Flyer

Astro Flyer

Posted
Posted (edited)
Will definately wait until we board for purchases. Thanks for all the replies:)

 

Sometimes at the International Cafe (I prefer to buy the coffee card from the barista making my drinks) they have an insulated coffee mug for about $5. It may not be displayed & you'd have to ask if it's available but something you may consider if interested in purchasing a mug which was less expensive when purchasing the coffee card than in the gift shop.

 

On the Crown in October the disposable coffee cups were better & didn't need a cardboard sleeve like at Starbucks to comfortably hold a hot cup of coffee & here's a photo.

image.jpg.31a939e0cae797ea3597422f921a9b1b.jpg

Edited by Astro Flyer
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Astro Flyer

Astro Flyer

Posted
Posted (edited)
Is it Starbucks coffee? and does it always come in a disposable cup or can you drink it from a porcelein cup if you drink it in the cafe?

 

It's not Starbucks however they're currently in the process of upgrading their coffee options. You can get brewed coffee or coffee drinks either in a glass cup or in a to go disposable cup. With the coffee card your also get the option of having a regular or large size drink. Brewed coffee is free on the cruise you purchase your coffee card & coffee drinks are 1 punch for either regular or large drinks.

 

This describes their New Grounds program:

 

"Savor the rich offerings of our New Grounds coffee program. We've partnered with the American Barista & Coffee School to ensure our baristas are trained in the fine art of handcrafting freshly brewed specialty coffees. Featuring premium beans sourced from Caffe Boasi in Italy, you can choose from espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and even hand-crafted iced tea fusions and more".

Edited by Astro Flyer
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Treven

Treven

Posted
Posted (edited)
It's not Starbucks however they're currently in the process of upgrading their coffee options. ...

 

This describes their New Grounds program:

 

"Savor the rich offerings of our New Grounds coffee program. We've partnered with the American Barista & Coffee School to ensure our baristas are trained in the fine art of handcrafting freshly brewed specialty coffees. Featuring premium beans sourced from Caffe Boasi in Italy, you can choose from espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and even hand-crafted iced tea fusions and more".

"Personally" I do hope they move up to Starbux!

Edited by Treven
Link to comment
Share on other sites
paul929207

paul929207

Posted
Posted
It's not Starbucks however they're currently in the process of upgrading their coffee options. You can get brewed coffee or coffee drinks either in a glass cup or in a to go disposable cup. With the coffee card your also get the option of having a regular or large size drink. Brewed coffee is free on the cruise you purchase your coffee card & coffee drinks are 1 punch for either regular or large drinks.

 

This describes their New Grounds program:

 

"Savor the rich offerings of our New Grounds coffee program. We've partnered with the American Barista & Coffee School to ensure our baristas are trained in the fine art of handcrafting freshly brewed specialty coffees. Featuring premium beans sourced from Caffe Boasi in Italy, you can choose from espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and even hand-crafted iced tea fusions and more".

If you have an insulated mug (from home or bought on board), they will fill that with the brewed coffee or tea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Redwing55

Redwing55

Posted
Posted
Will definately wait until we board for purchases. Thanks for all the replies:)

 

As mentioned above, some ports have a sales tax. If you wait to purchase until you board and are still in port (ft Lauderdale for example) you may pay sales tax depending upon when they post the charge. So, wait till you leave port and you'll be in the clear.. or buy before the cruise and then no sales tax.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
moki'smommy

moki'smommy

Posted
Posted
There's an advantage to the crew when purchases on the ship. They get a sales credit to their name and it can mean having a 1/2 day off work, other wise the price is the same.

 

That explains why they jumped all over us when we asked if there was a wine tasting. They wanted our card to write it up before they even explained WHEN, WHERE, and what was involved as well as how much it was. Seriously, one member of our group asked if there was a wine tasting and 4 servers tried to sell it to us!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Astro Flyer

Astro Flyer

Posted
Posted
Thats great, so its has gone down in price! Good to hear. :D

I wonder if there's a price increase for ships that have implemented their New Grounds Crafted Coffee program? Maybe ships with this "new premium coffee program" cost an additional $2?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
suzyed

suzyed

Posted
Posted

If you used your Princess Visa card for purchases of tours, coffee cards, wine, etc. before cruising, you will get double points with which you can purchase additional OBC!! I did that last time I sailed and it was like getting a discount on my purchases!!

 

As far as the insulated mug, you can still but that onboard even if you pre-purchase the coffee card. :D;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...