Soda Cards....How do they work??

[bankonus]

Does anyone know the process for purchasing a soda card, and is it difficult to get served....I've heard some complaints about these. Also, anyone know if it is worth it to buy alcoholic drink coupons before we go??? Thanks:p

[pmshirl]

You purchase the soda card and get unlimited soda. I have purchased them and never had a problem getting a soda. You can flag down a waiter at the pool to get soda, or go to the pool bar, ask at any bar, at diner as the waiter, all you have to do is show your sea pass card with your soda sticker on it and you get a soda. I think the cost is $4.00 for children and $6.00 for adults a DAY plus 15% tip. When you pay they will give you a sticker to put on your sea pass card and thats all it takes. As far as the alcohol drinks, I have never heard of prepaid coupons.

[kizzmequik]

I always buy the soda card. I have NEVER had any trouble getting them filled. I normaly find one or two bartenders that get to know me and I don't need to even have my cup or card with me when they are around. I don't drink achohol so they are a great deal for me. I normally tip a dollar when I am at one of the bars but not at dinner. When i did drink I always bought the drink cards in advance it saved alot of money.

 

Have fun!!

[cb at sea]

If you don't drink tons of soda per day, then just buy as you go! A can of soda is $1.50--same as most hotels. You can get a fountain soda, as well, for a nominal charge.

We only drink sodas once in a while, so we never buy that "soda card" --I think you would have to drink about 6 sodas a day to make it pay.

[TRadle]

They had the drink card when we sailed in 2003 but not in 2005.

I take it for the soda card you are not required that have your cup with you? How are the fountain drinks?

[RhondaC]

I don't believe RCCL offers alcoholic drink coupons or cards anymore. We used to buy the punch card years ago, but I'm pretty sure that's been discontinued, unless there's something new I don't know about!

[DCPIV]

You do not need your cup. In fact, our kids' cups never have been used on the ship. The fountain drinks are about what you would expect anywhere else: fine.

 

 

D

[bankonus]

I am buying them for my children...so I'm sure they will make great use of them. Do you purchase them at check-in or at a bar onboard?

[RhondaC]

If you buy them while you're still in port, you have to pay sales tax. If you wait until after you've sailed, you don't have to pay tax. But, the tax is not much, so if you will use them the first few hours, then just get them when you board. They will have a table set up just as you get on the ship, selling them. You can also get them from the pool bar.

[katct]

On Celebrity, you can order them from home before you go. In the cruise docs there is a long section for 'bon voyage' gifts, wine and spirits, spa packages, etc. The soda card is in that section. For my cruise it is number C702. I too am one of the people who always get it. True, I do have to drink 4-5 sodas a day but I find I drink far more than that. I drink club soda wily-nily!

 

Another good thing for me is that I can use it in the lounges and the theater. While I do purchase alcoholic drinks sometimes, I like to be able to have a drink in front of me without always worrying about the cost.

 

kat

[Italy52]

I tried the soda card on other ships and did not care for them because they gave me fountain soda. That stuff is just nasty because they never get the mix right---you can tell I am a Coke-a-holic. However, while I was on the Vison of the Seas a couple of weeks ago I noticed that soda refills actually came from litre bottles of the soda. To me, that is much better than the actual fountain drink. I don't know if that practice was just in the Windjammer or not, perhaps someone could clarify it for you.

[katiel53]

I haven't ever seen a tax on the soda cards. My husband always gets a card as soon as we board. There is a 15% gratuitiy added to them, but that's it.

 

Maybe he is just lucky. If so, wish his luck would continue into the casino. He has had the drinks come from the fountain as well as from bottles. I don't know why some are one way and some are another.

 

If you drink 4 or more sodas a day, it's worth it to get the card. Enjoy your trip and your soda card.

 

Katie

[JRA382]

I was planning on buying the soda card for my kids, I kinda assume it would also cover juice(OJ and apple)/milk/bottled water. I do not buy soda at home for my kids, but I have no problem if they have a soda a day while we are in vacation...but I don't want them drinking multiple servings soda in a day... so if someone could clarify what "healthy options" are covered by the soda card.

[Ottawa_cruise_man]

My DW and I each had a soda card, and we both got our money's worth. I just asked them to give me a mixture of 50% club soda and the rest in a mixture of fruit juices. It was a wonderfuly refreshing drink and it was a treat to drink by the pool each day.

 

I got a couple of wierd glances from some bartenders - all I had to do was explain very slowly what I wanted (because it is a complicated drink!:D), and I got what I wanted.

 

So it was 2 thunbs up for me. Also, I only had to show my card a couple of times at the beginning of the cruise, then they just kept filling my glass.

[Wilde_37]

On my last cruise one couple at my table just bought the one soda sticker and had it on one of their sea-pass cards. They passed the card back and forth when going to the bar for soda's and aparently the bar staff never checked. I was travelling alone so didn't have the luxury of such a ploy. But at only $6 a day it is not going to break the bank.

[pmshirl]

Bottled water is not included with the soda card. I am not sure about juice.

[KelJ]

I was planning on buying the soda card for my kids, I kinda assume it would also cover juice(OJ and apple)/milk/bottled water. I do not buy soda at home for my kids, but I have no problem if they have a soda a day while we are in vacation...but I don't want them drinking multiple servings soda in a day... so if someone could clarify what "healthy options" are covered by the soda card.

 

Juice is free (included) at breakfast. Milk, iced tea, lemonade, ice water, coffee and hot tea are free (included) all the time. The soda sticker gets you unlimited juice at times other than breakfast and gets you unlimited fountain soda. Bottled water is NOT included.

[BaileyandBella]

Juice is free (included) at breakfast. Milk, iced tea, lemonade, ice water, coffee and hot tea are free (included) all the time. The soda sticker gets you unlimited juice at times other than breakfast and gets you unlimited fountain soda. Bottled water is NOT included.

 

Is lemonade available all the time? Can you fill it up in your own sipper type bottle?

 

Is the soda filled into a glass? Can you take it to your cabin?

[molaurie]

I always buy the soda card. I have NEVER had any trouble getting them filled. I normaly find one or two bartenders that get to know me and I don't need to even have my cup or card with me when they are around. I don't drink achohol so they are a great deal for me. I normally tip a dollar when I am at one of the bars but not at dinner. When i did drink I always bought the drink cards in advance it saved alot of money.

 

Have fun!!

 

 

If you tip a dollar for your pre-paid soda, it doesn't sound like such a good deal to me. Or am I mistaken? Is the tip already included when you buy the soda card, or are you expected to tip everytime you have someone bring you a soda? Like if you are out by the pool, or dining at Windjammer's, etc. Please advise.

[KelJ]

If you tip a dollar for your pre-paid soda, it doesn't sound like such a good deal to me. Or am I mistaken? Is the tip already included when you buy the soda card, or are you expected to tip everytime you have someone bring you a soda? Like if you are out by the pool, or dining at Windjammer's, etc. Please advise.

 

The tip is already included in the price of the soda sticker. It's so great to not have to sign for the drinks!

[KelJ]

Is lemonade available all the time? Can you fill it up in your own sipper type bottle?

 

Is the soda filled into a glass? Can you take it to your cabin?

 

You can take any drink anywhere you want to take it. They're usually in a plastic "glass" in the Windjammer and in a real glass in the dining room.

As far as lemonade being available 24/7, I'm not sure. I'm sure someone else will be able to answer this for you.

I would get the lemonade in a glass/cup and then pour it into the sippy cup.

[molaurie]

The tip is already included in the price of the soda sticker. It's so great to not have to sign for the drinks!

 

 

Okay, great, then it does sound like a really good deal!

[paytongirls]

ok so soda/juice = card...hard drinks/umbrella drinks=$$signiture....Milk, iced tea, lemonade, ice water, coffee and hot tea are free (now is that 24/7)...so does the afore mentioned also include while child is in adventure club..

[gkrebs]

milk, iced tea, lemonade, ice water, coffee, hot tea are free as long as the Windjammer is open or on voyager class ships, what ever is available in the Cafe Promenade. I always bring a 1 litre mug with me when I buy the soda card. Rarely a problem getting it filled. And I do it all the time.

[BaileyandBella]

. I always bring a 1 litre mug with me when I buy the soda card. Rarely a problem getting it filled. And I do it all the time.

They will fill up the big mug for you....COOL!

 

What brands/flavors of soda are available?

 

Do the sign and sail cards have your picture on them?