Soda Card Purchase - bad experience

[CJJSmith]

Wondering if anyone else has experienced what I did last month on the Monarch when I purchased a soda card... This was my 6th cruise and the 1st time I bought the soda package. (Since I had my kids with me on the ship this time, I figured I would be drinking less alcohol and more soda.)

 

I wasn't sure how the whole soda cup / sticker on my sea pass card worked... so at the pool the first day I asked one of the waiters by the pool if I could get a soda and how it worked... he never answered me, just took my cup, filled it and brought it back. I tried to tip him, but he wouldn't take my dollar - (in a nice way, he said it wasn't necessary.) The next time I went to the bar and asked the bartender at the pool about refills and how it works... no response again, just filled it and seemed annoyed. I was really shocked because I had only come across fun nice people and this bartender was nice to me earlier... but when he saw the soda cup it was like I had the pleg!!! I left a dollar for him after he filled it because I wanted to tip him. Later at the buffet we had a bartender come up and ask if we wanted anything from the bar. I asked if he could bring me a coke and he said "sure" (sounded annoyed) - and he NEVER came back with it. Later in the casino I asked for a coke and the waiter asked if I had a soda card. I told him I did and he told me that's all he needed. He was very nice to me and explained that I just show the seapass card with the soda sticker on it and anyone would bring me a soda... he was so nice that I tipped him $5!!! (Plus right when he came with the soda I won a 700 bucks! lol.)

 

I honestly felt like I was treated BADLY because I had a soda card. I have never experienced anything like this on a ship before... and I didn't drink more than 5 sodas on the whole cruise! ANyone else felt this way?

[G'ma]

Nope.

[kingsgirl]

Others have reported "getting the shove" in line when it's been seen they are looking for a pop instead of alcohol at the bars. I've personally had no experience.

[house7]

On our last cruise I was the only one that didn't get the soda sticker. We never had any problem. After the first night at dinner the waiter and assistant waiter had our drinks ready when we got there every night. They knew exactly who wanted what and I almost thought they were listening in when my DD said she couldn't choose what dessert to have so they brought her one of everything before even taking her order:D

 

Never had any staff treat us bad because of the soda card.

[cb at sea]

As much as you tipped for these sodas, you could have BOUGHT 5 cans of soda for $10.00--tip already included in that price!!!!!!

[jakenashleysmom]

Not that its right, mind you, but I can see how that could happen. The servers probably very seldom get tips on the drinks they deliver to people with the soda package. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to walk around serving people drinks all day for nothing, and like I said before, not that its right, I bet thats where the attitude comes from.

 

Something to think about to those of you who use the soda package.:)

[RoofingPrincess]

Makes you wonder where the 15% gratuity they charge on top of the price of that soda card goes....

[temple1]

I've never had anyone act that way over the soda card. I usually don't take the cup with me - just use the card (they don't have to rinse anything out that way) and everyone has always been very pleasant about it. I find using the card much more convenient just wave the card and you have a soft drink. :)

 

The few times I did use the cup - the staff did not seem bothered by it. The Schooner Bar was in such a great location - I'd run down and get soft drinks to take upstairs late at night in the cups and the bar tender was really great about it.

[AnotherCruisingKid]

I can understand how it can happen. They stand a better chance of an extra tip on an alcoholic drink.

 

This does NOT make it right.

 

But I can understand it.

 

When you experience that, simply go to another person next time. If its widespread, go to guest relations and say something.

[FlyingPhotog]

Others have reported "getting the shove" in line when it's been seen they are looking for a pop instead of alcohol at the bars. I've personally had no experience.

 

I was never given a hard time about it. But the person who sold it to us at the start of our cruise explained everything clearly enough for us. The cup isn't necessary to have with you. So it would be more discreet to just order the drink and show the Seapass card with the sticker.

[pop5]

Leaving in a couple of weeks and glad this was asked. So, you dont have to go to a soda refill station. Whether they like it or not. you can just order cokes at the pool and other places on your soda card???

[AF-1]

Here's a suggestion. If you buy the soda card, when you go to dinner ask for a coke or diet coke. they will ask for your seapass and will see your sticker. I bet you get a glass of coke or diet coke. If you don't have a soda card and ask for coke or diet coke at dinner, they bring a can plus a glass with ice. seems unfair that the person who has pre paid for soda's gets ripped off; and they normally give you a fountain soda, where the peson who doesn't buy a soda card gets a new can. Hmmm! My wife and I bought soda cards last cruise and probably won't buy another one.

[reallyitsmema]

Here's a suggestion. If you buy the soda card, when you go to dinner ask for a coke or diet coke. they will ask for your seapass and will see your sticker. I bet you get a glass of coke or diet coke. If you don't have a soda card and ask for coke or diet coke at dinner, they bring a can plus a glass with ice. seems unfair that the person who has pre paid for soda's gets ripped off; and they normally give you a fountain soda, where the peson who doesn't buy a soda card gets a new can. Hmmm! My wife and I bought soda cards last cruise and probably won't buy another one.

How is it a ripoff to get a glass of soda instead of a can? When you purchase the soda card, they tell you it is good for fountain soda. If you want another soda at dinner, your waiter will bring you another. Our waiter actually ended up bringing a pitcher of diet coke each night since my DH drinks a lot.

[chazg]

I have never had an issue with the card on any cruise. You will always run into a crew member that may be having a bad day, or the bar you went to may have been really busy. Thats no excuse but we all have days like that.

 

As far as the Fountain vs. the Can issue, that is all a matter of taste. Being a Pepsi drinker by choice, I'd rather have a fountain coke then a can of coke anytime, IMHO. :p

[CJJSmith]

I was never given a hard time about it. But the person who sold it to us at the start of our cruise explained everything clearly enough for us. The cup isn't necessary to have with you. So it would be more discreet to just order the drink and show the Seapass card with the sticker.

 

Well... you just made me realize my first mistake - lol. I bought it at the pool bar from a bartender afer lifeboat drill. He was busy and didn't have time, but I didn't know where else to get it at that point because the table where you could buy them when you get on the ship wa gone. That's why it wasn't explaine to me.

 

I had NO IDEA that $10 of that price was for tip!!! WHO gets it? Certainly not the poor guy bringing it to me which is sad.

 

I totally agree that if I were a server I would see the soda card and cringe thinking there was no tip coming... and I know it doesn't make it right. I was going to go straight to the pursers desk because I didn't know where else to go to complain about the bar server in the buffet never coming back with my soda - this happen 2 times with different servers so I thought maybe it was the norm there and didn't ask for one again.

 

At dinner we had wine every night but the last night I asked for a soda and the assistant waiter was very sweet about getting me a glass of coke and keeping it filled for me. SO in the casino and dining room it wasn't an issue at all.... I actually did go down to the schooner bar for a soda when I was in my room one evening and he gave it to me but wasn't all that pleasant about it either - and there was NO ONE IN THERE - lol....

 

Does anyone know how much it costs just to order a coke?

 

Oh - and I also bought it for the cup because I really liked it. That helped sway my decision if I should buy it or not. You can buy the cups in the gift shop for 4.95... I found that out later! lol.

 

Thanks all of you for your replies to this thread - very interesting.

[FlyingPhotog]

At dinner we had wine every night but the last night I asked for a soda and the assistant waiter was very sweet about getting me a glass of coke and keeping it filled for me.

 

Our assistant waiter was great with it. I ordered Diet Coke and by night 2 I didn't have to show him my card or request the drink, he just brought it for me.

[Dave&Deb]

 

Does anyone know how much it costs just to order a coke?

 

I believe a can of soda costs $1.50, plus there is an automatic 15% gratuity added to that for a total cost of $1.72. If you drink more than an average of four pops a day, it pays to buy the soda card. If not, you're better off purchasing cans separately.:D

 

Deb

[uktraveller]

With my DS's soda card on Jewel in April, it depended on which bar you were at whether you got good service or not! He was routinely ignored at the Pool Bar and at the one in the Centrum, but at the Schooner bar and in the Dining room they were great.

We wouldn't buy one again.

[silentbob007]

I have only gotten a SC onces ... and it did feel like it was an inconvenience to most of the people who filled my cup for me. Luckily, I soon discovered that I was mainly drinking Coke to make the card "worth it," so now I just pay for sodas when I want one and am happier while paying less (in my situation).

[wrp96]

 

Does anyone know how much it costs just to order a coke?

 

I believe a can of soda costs $1.50, plus there is an automatic 15% gratuity added to that for a total cost of $1.72. If you drink more than an average of four pops a day, it pays to buy the soda card. If not, you're better off purchasing cans separately.:D

 

Deb

 

 

Actually the price of a can of soda has gone up (hasn't been $1.72 in a while). With the 15% automatic gratuity it is now around $2.25 for a can of soda.

[KatieGator]

Yes! I felt like I was being a major inconvenience to the bartenders at the Promenade cafe, which is where I got re-fills the majority of the time. No SC for me next time...it's not worth it price-wise for me, and I hate feeling like I'm being a drag when I'm not.

[Leesbrug Land]

Can someone please explain why they would prefer to drink soda out of a can instead of getting it from the fountain:confused: .

 

Canned soda has a metallic taste that fountain soda does not. I know you take your chances with fountain soda where fizziness is concerned. But I would rather drink a flat fountain soda over a metallic tasting soda anyday:p .

 

But then again I have had people ask me how I can taste the difference between diet coke and regular coke:rolleyes: .

[libertybelle41]

On Liberty last week whenever my son showed his seapass card w/the cola sticker he got a small plastic cup of coke in Sorrento's and Seattle's best.

[cruisePRN]

I've never had bad service and I always buy the soda card

[abba_dabba_doo]

Can someone please explain why they would prefer to drink soda out of a can instead of getting it from the fountain:confused: .

 

Canned soda has a metallic taste that fountain soda does not. I know you take your chances with fountain soda where fizziness is concerned. But I would rather drink a flat fountain soda over a metallic tasting soda anyday:p .

 

But then again I have had people ask me how I can taste the difference between diet coke and regular coke:rolleyes: .

 

 

It's just a matter of preference. I don't like drinking right out of the can if I don't have to, I much prefer mine on ice. And I know what you mean about the differences. I'm a Diet Coke person, don't like regular Coke and really don't like Pepsi. Huge difference between Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi!:rolleyes: